Unveiling the Longitudinal Journey: 3-Year Follow-up of Women with MINOCA and INOCA in a Specialized Heart Centre

Abstract

BackgroundMyocardial infarction with no obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA), and ischemia with no obstructive coronary arteries (INOCA), are female-predominant conditions; clinical trials are lacking to guide medical management for the common underlying vasomotor etiologies. Data on long-term outcomes of (M)INOCA patients following attendance at a women’s heart centre (WHC) are lacking. MethodsWomen diagnosed with MINOCA (n = 51) or INOCA (n = 112) were prospectively followed for 3 years at the Leslie Diamond WHC (LDWHC) in Vancouver. Baseline characteristics, diagnoses, chest-pain type, major adverse cardiac events, hospital encounters, medications, and Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) responses were compared between the baseline and 3-year timepoints. The χ2 test was used to compare categorical variables; the Student t test was used for continuous variables. ResultsMINOCA patients had significantly more nonexertional chest pain and more diagnoses of vasospasm than did INOCA patients, who had more exertional chest pain and more diagnoses of coronary microvascular dysfunction. Following the baseline timepoint, both groups had significant reductions in cardiovascular emergency room visits, with INOCA patients also experiencing fewer cardiovascular hospitalizations. At 3 years, the most commonly prescribed medications were calcium-channel blockers, long-acting nitrates, and beta-blockers, with MINOCA patients having more acetylsalicylic acid use, and INOCA patients having more short-acting nitrate and ranolazine prescriptions. Both groups observed significant improvements in SAQ scores, with greater improvements observed in INOCA patients. Patients with depression or who were prescribed ranolazine at 3 years had worse SAQ scores at baseline. ConclusionsThe 3-year outcomes of (M)INOCA patients indicate that the LDWHC's comprehensive care model effectively improves diagnostic clarity, reduces the number of hospital encounters, optimizes medication management, and improves self-reported patient well-being.