Coronary Slow Flow Phenomenon: A Single-Center Analysis of Prevalence and Risk Factors

Background: Coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP) is a syndrome characterized by delayed progression of the injected contrast through the epicardial coronary arteries, in the absence of significant stenosis. It is associated with myocardial ischemia, life-threatening arrhythmias, sudden cardiac death, and recurrent acute coronary syndromes. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of CSFP and its risk factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on all patients undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography because of clinical suspicion of cardiovascular disease in Mashhad Ghaem Hospital from March ۲۰۱۹ to March ۲۰۲۰. The individual information checklist was completed, and the diagnosis of the CSFP was made on the basis of corrected TIMI frame count > ۲۷ frames. Results: In the present study, among ۱۱۱۲ patients undergoing coronary angiography, ۷.۵% had the criteria of CSFP. Statistical tests indicated a significant association between male sex and smoking (p-value < ۰.۰۵) with CSFP. The association between hypertension and CSFP was not significant in univariate analysis but became significant after adjustment. Factors such as age, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and family history of heart disease had no significant difference between patients with and without CSFP. Conclusion: Coronary slow flow phenomenon is not an uncommon finding during diagnostic coronary angiography. The observed associations with modifiable risk factors, particularly smoking and hypertension, suggest that attention to risk factor modification may be beneficial in patients with CSFP and should be considered in clinical practice.

کلیدواژه ها:

coronary angiography ، Ischemic Heart Disease ، Microvascular Dysfunction ، risk factors