Microvascular Loss and Diastolic Dysfunction in Severe Symptomatic Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy

Abstract

Our results suggest that the marked diastolic dysfunction and resultant symptoms in patients with severe CAV may be secondary to the loss of microvasculature and remodeling of remaining microvessels rather than a consequence of interstitial fibrosis. The clinical significance and potential therapeutic implications of these unique microvasculature characteristics warrant further investigation.