Microvascular obstruction (MVO) of coronary arteries promotes an increase in
mortality and major adverse cardiac events in patients with acute myocardial
infarction (AMI) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Intramyocardial
hemorrhage (IMH) is observed in 41–50% of patients with ST-segment elevation
myocardial infarction and PCI. The occurrence of IMH is accompanied by
inflammation. There is evidence that microthrombi are not involved in the
development of MVO. The appearance of MVO is associated with infarct size, the
duration of ischemia of the heart, and myocardial edema. However, there is no
conclusive evidence that myocardial edema plays an important role in the
development of MVO. There is evidence that platelets, inflammation,
overload, neuropeptide Y, and endothelin-1 could be involved in the pathogenesis
of MVO. The role of endothelial cell damage in MVO formation remains unclear in
patients with AMI and PCI. It is unclear whether nitric oxide production is
reduced in patients with MVO. Only indirect evidence on the involvement of
inflammation in the development of MVO has been obtained. The role of reactive
oxygen species (ROS) in the pathogenesis of MVO is not studied. The role of
necroptosis and pyroptosis in the pathogenesis of MVO in patients with AMI and
PCI is also not studied. The significance of the balance of thromboxane A2,
vasopressin, angiotensin II, and prostacyclin in the formation of MVO is
currently unknown. Conclusive evidence regarding the role of coronary artery
spasm in the development of MVhasn’t been established. Correlation analysis of
the neuropeptide Y, endothelin-1 levels and the MVO size in patients with AMI and
PCI has not previously been performed. It is unclear whether epinephrine
aggravates reperfusion necrosis of cardiomyocytes. Dual antiplatelet therapy
improves the efficacy of PCI in prevention of MVO. It is unknown whether
epinephrine or L-type
channel blockers result in the long-term
improvement of coronary blood flow in patients with MVO.