Microvascular function/dysfunction downstream a coronary stenosis.

For decades coronary macrovascular atherosclerosis has been considered the principal manifestation of coronary heart disease, with most of our effort dedicated to identifying and removal of coronary stenosis. However, growing body of literature indicates that coronary microcirculation also contributes substantially to the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease. An understanding of mechanisms regulating microvascular function is of critical importance in understanding its role in disease, especially because these regulatory mechanisms vary substantially across species, vascular bed and due to comorbidities.