title: Coronary slow flow--prevalence and clinical correlations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP) is defined as delayed coronary opacification in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease. In the present study, we sought to define its prevalence and clinical features.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 1,741 consecutive patients who underwent coronary angiography (CAG) were identified. Those with normal left ventricular ejection fraction and normal coronary arteries were included in the study (n=158). TIMI frame counts were calculated, and data on demographics, comorbidities, and medication use were collected. CSFP was defined as frame count > 27. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of CSFP. CSFP was identified in 96 (5.5%) subjects referred for CAG. Subjects with CSFP were more obese (body mass index [BMI] 33.9 vs. 29.8 kg/m², P=0.003) and had lower high-density lipoprotein levels (39.7 vs. 45.7 mg/dl, P=0.04). In the CSFP group, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein and frame counts increased significantly with increasing vessel involvement (1-, vs. 2-, vs. 3-vessel involvement; P<0.05 for each variable). By multivariate analysis, male sex (odds ratio 3.36, 95% confidence interval 1.17-8.61, P=0.02) and higher BMI independently predicted the presence of CSFP (odds ratio 1.09, 95% confidence interval 1.03-1.15, P=0.003).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CSFP is associated with male sex and obesity. Multivessel involvement may be a marker of more severe, diffuse disease. Further studies are needed to investigate this hypothesis.
authors.affiliation: Section of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
authors.forename: Beau M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Hawkins
authors.forename: Stavros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stavrakis
authors.forename: Talla A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Rousan
authors.forename: Mazen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abu-Fadel
authors.forename: Eliot
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schechter
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003326:Coronary Circulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D054318:No-Reflow Phenomenon / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D009825:Oklahoma / Q000453:epidemiology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D013318:Stroke Volume; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left; D014728:Veterans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids