Prognostic role of coronary artery ectasia in patients with nonobstructive coronary artery disease

Aims Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) has been linked to the occurrence of adverse events in patients with ischemia/angina and no obstructive coronary arteries (INOCA/ANOCA), while the relationship between CAE and myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) has been poorly investigated. In our study we aimed at assessing differences in clinical, angiographic and prognostic features among patients with CAE and MINOCA vs. INOCA/ANOCA presentation. Methods Patients with angiographic evidence of CAE were enrolled at the University Hospital of Parma and divided into MINOCA vs. INOCA/ANOCA presentation. Clinical and quantitative angiographic information was recorded and the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) was assessed at follow-up. Results We enrolled a total of 97 patients: 49 (50.5%) with MINOCA and 48 (49.5%) with INOCA/ANOCA presentation. The presentation with MINOCA was associated with a higher frequency of inflammatory diseases ( P = 0.041), multivessel CAE ( P = 0.030) and thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow < 3 ( P = 0.013). At a median follow-up of 38 months, patients with MINOCA had a significantly higher incidence of MACE compared with those with INOCA/ANOCA [8 (16.3%) vs. 2 (4.2%), P = 0.045], mainly driven by a higher rate of nonfatal MI [5 (10.2%) vs. 0 (0.0%), P = 0.023]. At multivariate Cox regression analysis, the presentation with MINOCA ( P = 0.039) and the presence of TIMI flow <3 ( P = 0.037) were independent predictors of MACE at follow-up. Conclusion Among a cohort of patients with CAE and nonobstructive coronary artery disease, the presentation with MINOCA predicted a worse outcome.