Progress in animal models and evaluation methods of coronary microvascular dysfunction

Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is one of the main causes of ischemia with non-obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA), and the establishment of a reliable animal model of CMD is crucial for the study of CMD mechanism and the treatment of INOCA. Currently, most CMD model animals were pigs or rats, and the commonly used modelling methods could be divided into myocardial ischemia/reperfusion model, microembolism model (including microsphere method, autologous thrombus method, chemoembolism method), metabolic syndrome model, etc. The evaluation of CMD model included non-invasive methods such as ultrasound, nuclear imaging, myocardial magnetic resonance, etc., and invasive methods such as coronary artery angiography, blood flow reserve fraction, coronary flow reserve, microcirculatory resistance index, microsphere injection method, and in vitro staining. In this paper, we reviewed the various animal models and assessment methods used in CMD disease research at home and abroad in the past decade, and summarized the pros and cons of each method, thus providing scientific reference and theoretical basis for subsequent research.