Coronary artery microcirculation

The coronary artery microcirculation refers to the network of small coronary arteries (pre-arterioles, arterioles), capillaries, and small venules (generally vessels <300 µm in diameter) that are responsible for the regulation of myocardial blood flow and the distribution of oxygen and nutrients throughout the heart tissue. Functionally, the coronary microcirculation ensures that blood supply matches the metabolic demands of cardiac muscle, plays a central role in vascular resistance, and is a critical determinant of cardiac health. Dysfunction of this network (coronary microvascular dysfunction) is a key contributor to angina without obstructive coronary artery disease, as well as heart failure and major adverse cardiac events. The microcirculatory network is not a singular molecule, gene, or protein, but a complex, multicellular tissue system composed of endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, pericytes, and extracellular matrix.

Other names

Coronary microcirculationcoronary microvasculaturemicrovascular coronary circulationmicrovascular coronary bedmicrovascular coronary systemcoronary microvascular systemcoronary microcirculatory network