Myocardial bridges in the era of non-invasive angiography

Abstract

Cardiovascular (CV) and cerebrovascular (CBV) diseases are the leading causes of mortality in developed countries. In these countries CV risk factors like smoke, obesity, sed-entary life, dyslipidemias, hypertension and diabetes are well recognized and efforts have been efficaciously undertaken so that CV and CBV mortality in the second half of the last century has been significantly reduced. Cardiovascular and CBV diseases are also the leading cause of mortality in the developing world where in the last century we witnessed a rapid epidemiological as well as nutritional transition related mainly to increased urbanization and market globalization. Now the majority of CV and CBV mortal-ity occurs in low and middle-income countries [1]. Indeed the major responsible of CV as well as CBV diseases is the vascular atherosclerotic process. In particular the atherosclerotic calcified and non calcified plaques that cause coronary artery vessel lumen reduction are worldwide the leading cause of myocardial ischemia, which can lead to asymptomatic myocardial dysfunction, life threatening arrhythmias, angina, myocardial infarction and sudden death.