The Role of Nuclear Cardiology in the Diagnosis and Risk Stratification of Women With Ischemic Heart Disease

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is the leading cause of death in women. Women present with coronary artery disease later in life than men, with greater number of risk factors and higher rate of angina. Women have higher mortality compared with age-matched men despite having less anatomical coronary artery disease. Distinct pathophysiologies are thought to account for sex-related differences in the presentation and prognosis of IHD. More women than men have chest pain secondary to coronary reactivity, microvascular dysfunction, and plaque erosion with distal microembolization.
Source: Seminars in Nuclear Medicine - Category: Radiology Authors: Source Type: research