Insights of Cardiovascular Involvement in Women by Non-Invasive Imaging – Focus on Polycystic Ovaries Syndrome

The purpose of this paper is to review the results of studies from the last 3 years, presenting the current state of knowledge on the pathophysiological effect of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) on the cardiovascular system, with cardiac involvement using non-invasive cardiovascular investigations.

PCOS is a complex endocrine disorder that has a significant impact on the cardiovascular system. Recent studies confirm that PCOS increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) as well as the occurrence of cardiovascular events (CVE), including myocardial infarction (MI), coronary artery disease, and revascularization. These findings support the need for early screening and implementation of CVD prevention in women with PCOS.

Current evidence documents important and previously unrecognized mechanisms by which PCOS may adversely affect the cardiovascular system in affected women. Further studies are needed to in-depth characterisation of the cardiovascular phenotype of patients with PCOS. There is still a lack of studies using advanced cardiac imaging methods, including cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR).