Coronary Slow Flow Phenomenon Group Research Articles

Uric acid to albumin ratio as a novel predictor for coronary slow flow phenomenon in patients with chronic coronary syndrome and non-obstructive coronary arteries

BackgroundThe plasma uric acid to albumin ratio (UAR) is considered as a novel indicator for Inflammation. However, the association between UAR and coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP) remains unclear.MethodsA total of 1328 individuals with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) receiving coronary angiography (CAG) and found no obvious obstructive stenosis (< 40%) were included in this study. 79 individuals developed CSFP and were divided into CSFP group. The 1:2 age-matched patients with normal coronary blood flow were allocated to the control group (n = 158). The clinical characteristics, laboratory parameters including uric acid, albumin ratio, UAR and the angiographic characteristics were compared between the two groups.ResultsPatients with CSFP had a higher level of uric acid (392.3 ± 85.3 vs. 273.8 ± 71.5, P < 0.001), UAR (10.7 ± 2.2 vs. 7.2 ± 1.9, P < 0.001), but a lower level of plasma albumin (36.9 ± 4.2 vs. 38.5 ± 3.6, P = 0.003). Moreover, UAR increased as the numbers of vessels involved in CSFP increased. The logistic regression analysis demonstrated that UAR was independent predictors for CSFP. The Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that when UAR was more than 7.9, the AUC was 0.883 (95% CI: 0.840–0.927, p < 0.001), with the sensitivity and specificity were 78.2% and 88.2% respectively.ConclusionCombined uric acid with plasma albumin, UAR could serve as an independent predictor for CSFP.

Analysis of correlative factors of female coronary slow-flow phenomenon: A retrospective study.

The coronary slow-flow phenomenon (CSFP) is a manifestation of coronary artery disease wherein coronary angiography reveals no apparent stenosis; however, there is a delay in blood flow perfusion. Given its increased occurrence in male patients, with the majority of subjects in previous studies being male, this study aimed to explore whether distinct risk factors are present in female patients with CSFP. This single-center retrospective study focused on female patients diagnosed with CSFP by using coronary angiography. Eligible patients meeting the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria were divided into the study group (presenting with CSFP) and control group (displaying normal epicardial coronary arteries). Comparative analyses of clinical and diagnostic data were performed. Ninety-two patients with CSFP and an equal number of controls were enrolled in this study. Patients with CSFP exhibited a higher prevalence of smokers (P = .017) and a heightened incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) (P = .007). Significantly elevated levels of total cholesterol (TC) (P = .034) and free fatty acids (FFA) (P = .016) were observed in the CSFP group compared to those in the control group. Additionally, patients with CSFP displayed lower levels of apolipoprotein E (ApoE) (P = .092), free thyroxine (FT4) (P = .001), and total thyroxine (TT4) (P = .025). Logistic regression analysis indicated that smoking (P = .019), FFA (P < .001), ApoE (P = .015), and FT4 (P < .001) were independent risk factors for CSFP, accounting for confounding factors. Additionally, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the combined effect of smoking, ApoE, FT4, and FFA on CSFP was 0.793 (95% CI: 0.729-0.857, P < .01). In addition to the established risk factors for smoking, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia, female patients with CSFP exhibited significant differences in apoE, FFA, FT4, and TT4 levels compared to the control group. Smoking, FFA, and FT4 levels emerged as independent risk factors for CSFP.

Could Pan-Immune-Inflammation Value be a Marker for the Diagnosis of Coronary Slow Flow Phenomenon?

Inflammation plays a key role in the pathogenesis of the coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP). The newly developed inflammatory marker, pan-immune-inflammation value (PIV), is associated with adverse cardiovascular events. This study investigated the predictive value of PIV for diagnosing CSFP in comparison to other inflammation-based markers. A total of 214 patients, 109 in the CSFP group and 105 in the normal coronary flow (NCF) group, were retrospectively included in the study. Coronary flow was calculated using the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction frame count method. In addition to PIV, other inflammatory markers such as neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) were calculated for the patients. The average age of patients was 50.3 ± 8.4, with a male ratio of 55.1%. Compared to the NCF group, patients in the CSFP group had higher levels of hyperlipidemia, glucose, triglyceride, NLR, PLR, SII, and PIV, while their high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), was lower (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that HDL-C, glucose, triglyceride, and PIV were independent predictor factors for CSFP (p < 0.05). PIV is a strong and independent predictor factor for CSFP and superior in predicting CSFP compared to other inflammatory markers.

The triglyceride-glucose index as a predictive marker for coronary slow flow phenomenon.

The triglyceride-glucose index (TyG) has been proposed as a marker of insulin resistance (IR) and has shown associations with cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the TyG and the coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP) and explore the index's potential as a predictor of this condition. A total of 187 patients who underwent coronary angiography were included; of these, 91 patients were diagnosed with CSFP, and 96 patients with normal coronary flow served as a control group. The TyG was calculated using fasting triglyceride and glucose levels. The results showed that the TyG was significantly higher in the CSFP group compared with the control group (p < 0.001). Additionally, the TyG exhibited a moderate positive correlation with the thrombolysis-in-myocardial-infarction frame count in coronary arteries (p < 0.001). A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the TyG, along with gender, ejection fraction, and uric acid, remained significant predictors of CSFP (p < 0.05). This study's findings suggest that the TyG may serve as a useful marker for identifying individuals at risk of CSFP and provide insights into the potential role of IR in its pathophysiology.

Diagnostic Indicators of ECG for Coronary Slow Flow Phenomenon; a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Currently, epicardial coronary angiography is still the only diagnostic tool for Coronary Slow Flow Phenomenon (CSFP). This study aimed to systematically review studies that compared Electrocardiogram (ECG) findings between patients with and without CSFP. Using relevant key terms, we systematically searched MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science to find relevant studies up to February 5th, 2023. Effect sizes in each study were calculated as mean differences and crude odds ratio; then, random-effect models using inverse variance and Mantel-Haenszel methods were used to pool standardized mean differences (SMD) and crude odds ratios, respectively. Thirty-two eligible articles with a total sample size of 3,937 patients (2,069 with CSFP) were included. CSFP patients had higher P-wave maximum (Pmax) (SMD: 1.02 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.29 - 1.76); p=0.006) and P-dispersion (Pd) (SMD: 1.63 (95% CI: 0.99 - 2.27); p<0.001) compared to the control group. CSFP group also showed significantly longer QT wave maximum duration (SMD: 0.69 (95% CI: 0.33 - 1.06); p<0.001), uncorrected QTd (SMD: 1.89(95% CI: 0.67 - 3.11); p=0.002), and corrected dispersion (QTcd) (SMD: 1.63 (95% CI: 1.09 - 2.17), p<0.001). The frontal QRS-T angle was significantly higher in the CSFP group in comparison with the control group (SMD: 1.18 (95% CI: 0.31 - 2.04; p=0.007). While CSFP patients had a significantly higher T-peak to T-end (Tp-e) (SMD:1.71 (95% CI: 0.91, 2.52), p<0.001), no significant difference was noted between groups in terms of Tp-e to QT (p=0.16) and corrected QT ratios (p=0.07). Our findings suggest several ECG parameters, such as P max, Pd, QT, QTc, QTd, QTcd, Tp-e, and frontal QRS-T angle, may be prolonged in CSFP patients, and they could be employed as diagnostic indicators of CSFP before angiography.

Relationship between increased systemic immune-inflammation index and coronary slow flow phenomenon

BackgroundSystemic immune-inflammation index (SII, platelet × neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio), a new marker of inflammation, is associated with adverse cardiovascular events, but its relationship with coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP) is unclear. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the relationship between SII and CSFP.MethodsWe enrolled consecutive patients who presented with chest pain, with normal/near-normal coronary angiography findings (n = 89 as CSFP group; n = 167 as control group). The baseline characteristics, laboratory parameters and angiographic characteristics of the two groups were compared.ResultsSII levels were significantly higher in the CSFP group than in the control group (409.7 ± 17.7 vs. 396.7 ± 12.7, p < 0.001). A significant positive correlation between SII and the mean thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count (mTFC) was found (r = 0.624, p < 0.001). SII increased with the number of coronary arteries involved in CSFP. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, SII/10 was an independent predictor of CSFP (odds ratio: 1.739, p < 0.001). In addition, the SII level > 404.29 was a predictor of CSFP with 67.4% sensitivity and 71.9% specificity.ConclusionsSII can predict the occurrence of CSFP.

Association of eosinophil-to-lymphocyte ratio with coronary slow-flow phenomenon in patients undergoing coronary angiography.

IntroductionThe current investigation intended to evaluate the correlation between eosinophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (ELR) and the coronary slow-flow phenomenon (CSFP) in patients undergoing elective coronary angiography.Material and methodsA case-control investigation was conducted on 200 individual CSFP patients and another 200 individuals with normal coronary arteries and who were matched for age, gender, and body mass index. ELR was computed by dividing the number of eosinophils by the number of lymphocytes. Thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count was used to determine the CSFP.ResultsThe ELR in the CSFP group was substantially greater than in the control group [0.38 (0.28–0.50)] and [0.22 (0.17–0.35)], p < 0.001, respectively). With the help of multivariable logistic regression analysis, ELR independently predicted the CSFP presence (odds ratio = 1.040, 95% CI: 1.026–1.053), p < 0.001). The effective cutoff point of ELR in predicting CSFP presence was > 0.29 with sensitivity of 77% and specificity of 70%. ELR had better diagnostic accuracy to predict CSFP than either lymphocyte or eosinophil count alone [AUC = 0.746 vs. AUC = 0.687 vs. AUC = 0.687, respectively].ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this was the first investigation to determine the connection between ELR and CSFP. We discovered that individuals with CSFP had higher ELR than those with normal coronary arteries in the control group.

Relationship between carotid artery stiffness and total serum homocysteine in coronary slow flow phenomenon: a high-resolution echo-tracking study

Coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP) is not uncommon in conventional coronary angiography. A disorder of serum homocysteine (tHcy) metabolism may play a role in the pathogenesis of slow coronary flow. Moreover, elevated tHcy concentration is closely associated with atherosclerosis. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between carotid artery stiffness and serum tHcy levels in patients with CSFP. This was a case-control study. The study population comprised 146 patients with newly diagnosed stable angina, including 73 patients with CSFP and 73 patients with normal coronary flow. All participants underwent conventional coronary angiography, carotid ultrasonography, and biochemical examination. The carotid artery stiffness parameters of β index (β), pressure-strain elastic modulus (Ep), and local pulse wave velocity (PWV) in the CSFP group were significantly higher than those in the control group (β: 10.75±2.16 vs. 9.02±2.11, P=0.007; Ep: 147.41±41.22 vs. 116.21±39.21, P=0.004; PWV: 7.45±1.23 vs. 6.16±1.20, P=0.003), However, arterial compliance (AC) was lower in the CSFP group than the control group (0.52±0.11 vs. 0.69±0.24, P=0.008). The mean thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count and the tHcy concentration in the CSFP group were significantly higher than those in the control group (48.60±1.30 vs. 24.50±3.80, P=0.001; 19.95±4.00 vs. 9.12±2.72, P=0.009). The tHcy concentration was positively correlated with β (R value =0.494, P<0.0001), Ep (R value =0.469, P<0.0001), and PWV (R value =0.436, P<0.0001), but negatively correlated with AC (R value =-0.230, P=0.022). The predictors of CSFP were tHcy concentration, left PWV, right PWV, left β index, and right β index. Among them, the left β index and right β index were the best indictors for predicting CSFP. The cutoff values of left β index, right β index, left PWV, and right PWV were 9.3, 9.3, 6.7, and 6.6, respectively. Our data showed that serum tHcy levels were elevated in patients with CSFP compared with the control group. Carotid artery stiffness parameters were correlated with tHcy. The best predictors of CSFP were left β index and right β index. These findings may contribute to a better understanding of systemic vascular disorders in patients with coronary slow flow, rather than simply attributing such disorders to a single and isolated lesion of the epicardial coronary artery.

Prolonged P Wave Peak Time May Be a Sign of LV Diastolic Dysfunction in the Coronary Slow Flow Phenomenon.

Background The coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP) is an atherosclerotic process that causes ischemia at the microvascular level. The CSFP may affect P wave durations, especially P wave peak time (PWPT), by microvascular ischemia, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, and changes in the left atrial dimension. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to assess PWPT in the CSFP. Method One hundred and ninety-five patients were included in this single-center, retrospective study. Ninety patients were enrolled in the CSFP group and 105 patients in the control group. PWPT was defined as the duration between the beginning and peak of the p wave and obtained from the leads Dıı and Vı. Results The mean age of the study population was 48.5 ± 9.5, and 108 (55.3%) of the patients were female. We found PWPT was longer in the CSFP group than in the control group. Correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between PWPT in both leads (DII, Vı) and left atrial anterior-posterior diameter, mean TIMI frame count (TFC), and E/e. A significant relationship was observed between mean TFC, E/e, EF, heart rate, and PWPT in lead Dıı (β coefficient = 0.33, 95% CI 0.44–1.33, p < 0.001, β coefficient = 0.23, 95% CI 0.25–1.85, p=0.01, β coefficient = -0.140, 95% CI −1.04–−0.53, p=0.03, and β coefficient = −0.13, 95% CI −0.29–−0.014, p=0.03, respectively) in multivariable linear analysis. Conclusion In the present study, we found prolonged PWPT in patients with the CSFP and found a relationship between PWPT and mean TFC.

The C-Reactive Protein to Albumin Ratio May Be an Inflammatory Indicator for the Coronary Slow Flow Phenomenon

Introduction: Coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP) is defined by the low-speed filling of contrast material in the distal portion of one or more coronary arteries despite the absence of stenosis of the coronary arteries on coronary angiography (CAG). Although the pathophysiology of this phenomenon is not known, suggested mechanisms in-clude increased oxidative stress and inflammation, disturbed endothelial function, and microvascular dysfunction. The C-reactive protein (CRP)/albumin ratio (CAR) is a sensitive indicator of the severity and progression of the inflam-matory reaction. In our study, we planned to examine the relationship between CSFP and CAR. Methods: In this prospective and single-center study, 45 patients with CSFP detected in CAG between June 2021 and June 2022 were included. In the control group, 49 people with normal coronary arteries matched for gender and age were included. We analyzed the relationship between CSFP and CAR according to laboratory findings and patient demographics. Results: The mean age of the study group was 56.43±9.66 years. CRP (4.69±3.69 vs 2.93±1.93, p=0.006) and CAR (1.14±0.86 vs 0.66±0.41, p=0.002) were significantly higher in the CSFP group compared with controls. Albumin levels were significantly lower in CSFP (4.05±0.90 mg/dL vs 4.40±0.71 mg/dL, p=0.037). In addition, CAR showed a significant diagnostic value for CSFP in receiver operating characteristic curve analysis (area under the curve: 0.65±0.06, p=0.0130). Discussion and Conclusion: CAR values, which are important indicators of inflammation, were higher in patients with CSFP. This finding may reveal that inflammation is also effective in the pathogenesis of CSFP, and we think CAR can be used for screening and predicting prognosis in this patient group.

Safety of low-dose dobutamine stress test in coronary slow flow phenomenon

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility and safety of a low-dose dobutamine stress test in coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP) patients.Methods: One hundred and forty-two CSFP patients, and forty-four patients without CSFP or significant epicardial coronary stenosis who served as the control group, were retrospectively reviewed. All patients were infused intravenously with dobutamine at an initial infusion rate of 5 μg/kg/min which was then increased at 8-min intervals to 10, 15, and 20 μg/kg/min. Symptoms and echocardiography were monitored simultaneously.Results: Patient tolerance decreased as the doses of dobutamine increased. No termination of the test occurred without dobutamine or at the infusion rate of 5 μg/kg/min. Nonetheless, when the infusion rates were adjusted to 15 and 20 μg/kg/min, the incident of side effects reached up to 30.9 %, and a few patients experienced ST-segment depression in precordial electrocardiographic leads. There were no induced arrhythmias without dobutamine, while the incidence of arrhythmias was highest at the infusion rate of 20 μg/kg/min. Malignant arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation and sustained ventricular tachycardia, were not detected. No significant differences were showed in echocardiogram result for left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) between CSFP and control group (63.7±7.9 in the CSFP group, versus 64.3±7.2 in the control group; p = 0.63).Conclusion: A low-dose dobutamine stress test is safe and feasible in CSFP patients.

The relationship between triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and coronary slow-flow phenomenon.

In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between high triglyceride (TG)/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio and coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP) in patients undergoing elective coronary angiography for suspected coronary artery disease. This prospective study included a total of 84 CSFP patients and 83 controls with normal coronary flow, as evidenced by coronary angiography. The Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) frame count (TFC) was used to measure the coronary blood flow velocity. The lipid profiles were analyzed and TG/HDL-C ratio were calculated dividing absolute TG levels by absolute HDL-C levels in peripheral blood. The median TG/HDL-C ratio was higher in the CSFP group than the control group (3.4 [2.6 to 4.9] vs. 2.3 [1.8 to 3], respectively; p < 0.001). The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that TG/HDL-C ratio was an independent predictor of CSFP (odds ratio [OR] 1.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.59-2.32; p = 0.001) and TG/HDL-C ratio was positively correlated with the TFC in the CSFP group (r = 0.311, p < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of TG/HDL-C for the diagnosis of CSFP was 0.73 (95% CI 0.65-0.81; p < 0.001). If a cut-off value of 2.75 was used, higher levels of TG/HDL-C ratio could predict the presence of CSFP with 72% sensitivity and 71% specificity. Our study results suggest that TG/HDL-C ratio is associated with CSFP and may be a useful biomarker for predicting CSFP and its severity.

Comparison of the Outcomes between Coronary No-Reflow and Slow-Flow Phenomenon in Non-STEMI Patients.

ResumoFundamento:Os fenômenos de slow-flow (CSFP) e no-reflow coronariano (CNP) estão associados a um risco aumentado de eventos cardiovasculares adversos maiores (ECAM).Objetivos:Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar e comparar os resultados do seguimento clínico de um ano entre pacientes com CNP e CSFP submetidos a intervenções coronárias percutâneas (ICP) em infarto agudo do miocárdio sem supradesnivelamento do segmento ST (IAMSSST).Métodos:Este estudo incluiu um total de 858 pacientes com diagnóstico de IAMSSST e submetidos a ICP nas 24 horas desde o início dos sintomas. Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos, o grupo CSFP (n = 221) e o grupo CNP (n = 25), considerando as características angiográficas do fluxo da trombólise no infarto do miocárdio (TIMI) e na artéria relacionada ao infarto. Os pacientes tiveram um seguimento de um ano. Um valor de p <0,05 foi considerado significativo.Resultados:O CNP foi observado em 2,91% e o CSFP em 25,75% dos pacientes. Os desfechos clínicos analisaram que a incidência de acidente vascular cerebral (AVC) foi significativamente maior no grupo CNP do que no grupo CSFP (6 (24%) vs. 6 (2,70%), p <0,001) e a de ECAM foi significativamente maior no grupo CNP do que no grupo CSFP (11 (44%) vs. 51 (23,10%), p = 0,022). A análise de regressão logística condicional forward demonstrou que o índice de massa corporal (IMC) (OR = 1,11, IC95%: 1,00-1,24, p = 0,038) e frequência cardíaca (FC) basal (OR = 0,923, IC 95%: 0,88-0,96, p <0,001) foram os preditores independentes de CNP no IAMSSST.Conclusões:Pacientes com CNP têm piores resultados clínicos e um maior risco de AVC em comparação com pacientes com CSFP no IAMSSST.

The effect of coronary slow flow on left atrial structure and function

The coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP) is common in coronary angiography, however its impact on left atrial (LA) function is still controversial. This study aims to evaluate the LA structure and function of patients with CSFP using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE). Consecutive patients scheduled for coronary angiography from January 2016 to September 2017 were enrolled in this study. Patients’ demographic data, clinical histories, laboratory and angiographic findings were collected and recorded. Diagnostic criteria for CSFP is based on Beltrame et al. proposed in 2012. Meanwhile 139 patients who have no significant stenosis (≤ 40%) and normal blood flow were selected as control. All patients received an echocardiographic examination 24 h before coronary angiography. LA structure and function were measured with echocardiography and 2D-STE. Our results showed that among the 1,954 patients who had received coronary angiography, 512 patients were included in the analysis after the exclusion criteria was implemented. Of those, 101 patients met the CSFP criteria (5.5%). CSFP is mainly seen in LAD (~ 70%). There was no statistical difference in baseline characteristics between the CSFP group and control group, except for a higher proportion of smokers in the CSFP group (P = 0.001). The percentage of monocytes is an independent risk factor for the occurrence of CSFP (P = 0.036) after binary logistic regression analysis. The LA global longitudinal strain (LA-GLS, represents reservoir functions) decreased and LA strain rate at late diastole (LA-SRa, represents booster function) increased in patients with CSFP compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Correlation test of continuous variables by Pearson test suggested that LA-GLS was negatively correlated with TIMI frame count (TFC). We concluded that the percentage of monocytes is an independent risk factor for the CSFP; the LA reservoir and booster functions were impaired in patients with CSFP; LA-GLS is negatively correlated with TFC.

Relationship between frontal QRS-T angle and coronary slow flow phenomenon

Background/Aim: Coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP) is termed as slow passage of contrast dye to distal portion of the coronary arteries, and can provoke angina pectoris, serious arrhythmias, or even sudden death. Previous reports suggested that frontal QRS-T angle (fQRSTa), measured by surface ECG may associate with ventricular arrhythmias and cardiac death. In this study, we aimed to assess the relationship between fQRSTa and CSFP. Methods: In this case-control study, we retrospectively included 76 patients with CSFP [85.5% male; mean age 58.4 (9.2) years] and 50 patients with normal coronary flow (control group) [86.6% male; mean age 56.5 (10.1) years] between July 2017 and March 2019. CSFP was identified by TIMI frame count (TFC) method. Demographic, clinical and ECG characteristics were obtained from hospital records. Results: The groups were similar concerning co-morbid cardiac conditions. Mean QTc interval and median fQRSTa were significantly greater in CSFP group compared with the controls [416.2 (34.5) vs 401 (36.3), P=0.020 and 51° (11° to 132°) vs 27° (4° to 92°), P<0.001; respectively]. Conclusion: The findings may suggest a possible distortion in cardiac electrical micropathways and indicate an increased likelihood of arrhythmia.

A preliminary study of MMP-9 and sCD40L in patients with coronary slow flow.

To explore the relationship between coronary slow flow (CSF) and both matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and soluble cluster of differentiation 40 ligand (sCD40L). Between July 2016 and September 2019, 80 patients suspected of having coronary heart disease due to chest tightness or other symptoms of chest pain and discomfort were admitted to Nanjing Jiangbei People's Hospital and, following a coronary angiography, were diagnosed as having CSF. These patients were assigned to the coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP) group. The control group, or normal coronary flow (NCF) group, consisted of 80 patients with normal coronary angiography results. Following group assignment, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were used to measure and compare the serum levels of sCD40L and MMP-9 between the two groups. Serum levels of sCD40L and MMP-9 in the CSFP group were significantly higher than those in the NCF group (PP<0.05). Additionally, serum levels of adhesion molecules and C-reactive protein (CRP) in the CSFP group were significantly higher than those in NCF group (P<0.05). There was a positive correlation observed between sCD40L levels and adhesion molecule levels in the CSFP group, however, there was no such correlation observed in the NCF group. The CSFP group also had a significantly higher corrected TIMI frame count (CTFC) compared with the NCF group (PP<0.05). Serum MMP-9 levels were higher in patients with CSF, and MMP-9 levels were positively correlated with CTFC. This suggests that chronic inflammation may play a role in CSF pathogenesis and that atherosclerotic plaques may be present in the coronary arteries of CSF patients. Additionally, serum levels of sCD40L, adhesion molecules, and CRP were higher in CSF patients, and CRP levels were positively correlated with CTFC. Adhesion molecule expression is promoted by sCD40L. Increased levels of sCD40L may therefore promote the development of CSF.

Slow Flow Phenomenon Impairs the Prognosis of Coronary Artery Ectasia as Well as Coronary Atherosclerosis.

Introduction:Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is one of the uncommon cardiovascular disorders and its prognosis is still debated.Objective:We aimed to review long-term follow-up data in patients with CAE and to evaluate the prognosis of CAE patients with coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP).Methods:This study had a prospective design and 143 patients with CAE were included. The angiographic and demographic characteristics were reviewed in detail. The patients were categorized, based on concomitant coronary artery stenosis detected by angiography, as CCAE group (n=87, ≥30% luminal stenosis) and ICAE group (n=56, <30% luminal stenosis) and also categorized by the coronary flow as CSFP group (n=51) and normal flow coronary ectasia - NCEA group (n=92). All patients were re-evaluated at 6-month intervals. Follow-up data, cardiovascular (CV) mortality, hospitalization and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were collected. The level of statistical significance was set at 5%.Results:Patients were followed up for an average of 56.9±7.4 months. During the follow-up, statistically significant differences were found in hospitalization, CV mortality and MACE between the CCAE and ICAE groups (P=0.038, P=0.003, P=0.001, respectively). The CSFP and NCEA groups were also compared. There was a statistical difference with respect to hospitalization between the CFSP and NCEA groups (P=0.001), but no difference was observed in terms of MACE and CV mortality (P=0.793 and P=0.279).Conclusion:CSFP accompanying CAE may be a predictor of hospitalization. Significant atherosclerotic plaques coexisting with CAE may be predictive for MACE.

Coronary Slow Flow Phenomenon: The Role of New Echo cardiographic Indices

Abstract Background: The Coronary Slow Flow Phenomenon (CSFP) is defined as a delayed distal vessel contrast opacifi-cation in the absence of obstructive epicardial coronary artery disease during coronary angiography. There is conflicting data in medical literature regarding the effects of CSFP on the left ventricular functions assessed by conventional echocar-diography or tissue Doppler imaging. Aim of Study: To evaluate whether there is impairement of Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS) of the Left Ventricle (LV) obtained by Speckle Tracking Echocardiography (STE) in patients with CSFP and the role of GLS of the left ventricle in prediction of CSFP. Patients and Methods: Patients with chronic stable angina referred for coronary angiography from February 2015 to Augusts 2017 at the Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine; Zagazig University Hospitals were examined. 31 patients with CSFP and 52 age and sex matched controls without CSFP were enrolled in the study. Diagnosis of CSFP was made by TIMI Frame Count (TFC). GLS of LV was measured by two dimensional (2D) STE in addition to other conventional and tissue Doppler parameters to assess LV diastolic and systolic functions. Results: LV GLS was lower in CSFP group patients (–15 ±2.73) compared to control group (–17.19±2.54) (p=0.001). There was statistically significant negative correlation between mean TFC and LV GLS (r=–0.33, p=0.002). LVEF by modified Simpson method was lower in CSFP group (57.77±5.66%) compared to control group (59.29±3.32%) but with no statis-tical significance (p=0.18). Left atrial diameter, LAVI were larger in CSFP group compared to control group (p < 0.05). MV E/Ep and TV E/Ep was higher in CSFP group compared to control group (p < 0.001). Smoking was the only risk factors that showed statistical significance being more common in CSFP patients (p=0.003) with positive correlation between mean TFC and smoking index (r=0.28, p=0.002). Conclusion: CSFP impaires LV systolic and diastolic function, RV diastolic function. We found significant negative correlation between mean TFC and GLS of LV.

Association of Interleukin-1 Gene cluster polymorphisms with coronary slow flow phenomenon.

Objective:Coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP) is characterized by the decreased rate of contrast progression in epicardial coronary arte-ries in the absence of significant coronary stenosis. Mounting evidence has showed a significant association between inflammation and CSFP severity. This study aimed to evaluate possible associations between interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) gene variable number tandem repeat (VNTR), IL-1β -511 single nucleotide (SNP), and IL-1β+3954 SNP mutations with CSFP.Methods:Forty-eight patients with CSFP and 62 controls with angiographically normal coronary arteries were prospectively enrolled in the study. Genotypes were assessed using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique.Results:Homozygote genotype for allele 2 of+3954 C>T 2/2 genotype was significantly more frequent in patients with CSFP than in the control group, whereas 1/2 genotype was more frequent in the control group (35.4% versus 14.5% for 2/2 genotype and 25% versus 35.5% for 1/2 genotype in CSFP and control groups, respectively, X2=6.6; p=0.04). The allelic frequency of allele 2 of this polymorphism was significantly higher in the CSFP group than in the control group (47.9% versus 28.6% in the control group, X2=5.6; p=0.02). However, there was no significant difference with regard to genotype or allelic frequencies of IL-1ra VNTR or IL-1β -511 SNP polymorphisms between patients with CSFP and controls.Conclusion:IL-1β+3954 SNP mutations are significantly more common in patients with CSFP. It may suggest that the tendency for inflammation may contribute to the presence of this phenomenon.

Is Left Atrial Function Affected by Coronary Slow Flow? A Two-dimensional Speckle-Tracking Echocardiographic Study.

Background:The coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP) is the slow passage of the angiographic contrast agent to the distal portion of the coronary artery in the absence of significant stenosis. We evaluated the left atrial (LA) function in patients with the CSFP using two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2DSTE).Methods:The LA function was compared through 2DSTE between 36 patients with the CSFP and 36 participants with a normal coronary flow. The two groups were matched for age, sex, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and the left ventricular function.Results:There were no statistically significant differences between the CSFP group and the control group regarding longitudinal systolic strain, early and late diastolic strains, and the strain rate of the LA myocardium.Conclusions:The LA function as evaluated with 2DSTE was not different between the CSFP group and the normal coronary flow group when they were matched for age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, and the left ventricular function.