Doctors are looking at new ways to identify and manage non-atherosclerotic vasculopathies (NAV). These are conditions that affect blood vessels but are not caused by typical plaque buildup. This review proposes a new way to organize these conditions into three main categories: structural issues in the artery wall, functional problems with blood flow, and inflammatory responses from the immune system.
To help with diagnosis, the review highlights the use of vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging. This type of imaging can help doctors see which of the three categories is most likely causing the problem. However, these images must always be checked against the patient's specific clinical symptoms to be useful.
This framework is intended to help medical teams organize their evaluations and start early management based on the most likely biology of the disease. It is meant to work alongside existing methods, not replace them. Because this is a narrative review, it provides a conceptual guide for doctors rather than a new clinical trial result.
