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  4. Vol 8, Issue 2, 2026

Progress in the Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medical Diagnosis and Treatment of Microvascular Angina and Research into Its Modern Pharmacological Mechanisms

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DOI: 10.23977/medcm.2026.080203 | Downloads: 0 | Views: 12

Author(s)

Xinfei Cui 1, Juan Li 2, Siyang Hao 2, Xiufeng Fan 2

Affiliation(s)

1 School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, 712000, Shaanxi, China
2 Shaanxi Provincial Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Xi'an, 710000, Shaanxi, China

Corresponding Author

Xiufeng Fan

ABSTRACT

Microvascular angina (MVA) is an ischaemic heart disease characterised by coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD). With continuous advances in coronary functional testing, the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to MVA has gradually shifted from a process of exclusion to mechanism-based classification and personalised treatment.Currently, modern medicine primarily relies on the control of risk factors and pharmacological treatment targeting specific subtypes of microcirculatory abnormalities; however, some patients continue to suffer from recurrent symptoms and a reduced quality of life. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this condition falls under the categories of 'chongbi' and 'xintong', indicating that its core pathogenesis involves 'deficiency at the root and excess at the branch' and 'obstruction of the heart meridians'. Clinical treatment approaches predominantly focus on methods such as tonifying qi, promoting blood circulation, regulating qi and resolving phlegm.Existing evidence suggests that the use of Chinese herbal medicines or proprietary Chinese medicines in combination with conventional treatment helps to improve angina symptoms and certain microcirculatory and endothelial function indicators. The mechanisms of action may involve the regulation of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase/nitric oxide (eNOS/NO) pathway, the suppression of inflammatory and oxidative stress responses, and the intervention in myocardial fibrosis; however, the overall quality of evidence from existing studies remains limited.This article analyses and explains the modern medical understanding of MVA, its TCM pattern differentiation, integrated Chinese and Western medical treatment, and modern pharmacological mechanisms, whilst also exploring future research directions.

KEYWORDS

Microvascular Angina; Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction; Integration of Chinese and Western Medicine; Traditional Chinese Medicine; Coronary Flow Reserve; Microcirculatory Resistance Index

CITE THIS PAPER

Xinfei Cui, Juan Li, Siyang Hao, Xiufeng Fan. Progress in the Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medical Diagnosis and Treatment of Microvascular Angina and Research into Its Modern Pharmacological Mechanisms. MEDS Chinese Medicine (2026). Vol. 8, No. 2, 17-31. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.23977/medcm.2026.080203.

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