This publication examines the special characteristics of the pathophysiology of coronary artery disease (CAD) and its clinical presentation in women, which differ from those of men. While coronary obstruction and multi-vessel disease are more common in men, non-ischemic heart disease (IHD) best encompasses the spectrum of the disease in women. The publication provides a critical review of the existing literature, covering some general aspects of the disease as well as how to make a diagnosis/prognosis of IHD, both clinical and by means of cardiac imaging. The specific situation of cardiac imaging in the management of IHD in low- or middle- income countries is surveyed. In addition, reference is made to cardiotoxicity and radiotherapy-induced disease in breast cancer.

• 1. Introduction
  • 1.1. Background
  • 1.2. Objective
  • 1.3. Scope
  • 1.4. Structure
• 2. Ischemic heart disease in women
  • 2.1. Traditional and female specific risk factors
  • 2.2. Physiopathologic differences
  • 2.3. Coronary disease
    • 2.3.1. Obstructive CAD
    • 2.3.2. Non-obstructive/coronary microvascular disease
  • 2.4. Obstructive CAD
    • 2.4.1. Clinical picture of CAD
    • 2.4.2. Stress electrocardiogram (ECG) test
    • 2.4.3. Echocardiogram (Echo)
    • 2.4.4. Nuclear cardiology: SPECT and positron emission tomography (PET)
    • 2.4.5. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR)
    • 2.4.6. Cardiac computed tomography
• 3. Diagnosis of CAD and guidance to treatment
  • 3.1. Non-obstructive CAD
    • 3.1.1. Clinical picture
    • 3.1.2. Stress test
    • 3.1.3. Coronary microvessel disease
    • 3.1.4. Invasive diagnosis
  • 3.2. Suggested diagnostic algorithm in women
• 4. Other clinical entities
  • 4.1. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy
  • 4.2. Sarcoidosis
  • 4.3. Chronic inflammatory diseases
  • 4.4. Breast cancer, cardiotoxicity and radiotherapy-induced disease
• 5. Situation in low and middle income countries
  • 5.1. Primary prevention: risk factors control
  • 5.2. Optimization of available resources
  • 5.3. Role of research
• REFERENCES
• LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
• CONTRIBUTORS TO DRAFTING AND REVIEW