title: Predictors of slow flow in angiographically normal coronary arteries.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Slow coronary flow (SCF) is a well-known angiographic finding; however, the pathophysiology of SCF remains only partially understood. In this study, we have examined the risk factors of slow coronary flow.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy patients with angiographically proven SCF were studied along with 60 control participants. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on the angiographic findings as with or without SCF. In both groups, clinical information was collected and laboratory parameters were measured and compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with SCF had higher serum uric acid, creatinine and hemoglobin levels. They also more commonly had a history of smoking. On the other hand, C-reactive protein and hematologic parameters such as mean platelet volume (MPV), red cell distribution width (RDW), and neutrophil to lymphocyte (N/L) ratio did not differ significantly between the two groups. In the logistic regression analysis, only uric acid (odds ratio [OR]=1.583, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.011-2.349, P=0.034) was found as an independent correlate of SCF.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates that serum uric acid level is significantly correlated with SCF and may play a role in the development of the condition. These findings provide impetus for additional studies to confirm these results and treatment of SCF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mugla Sitki Kocman University Mugla, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Altun
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mugla Sitki Kocman University Mugla, Turkey.
authors.forename: Fatih
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Akin
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Mugla Yucelen Hospital Muğla, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nuri
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kose
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mugla Sitki Kocman University Mugla, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cem
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sahin
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mugla Sitki Kocman University Mugla, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ismail
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kirli
keywords: C-reactive protein; Slow coronary flow; hematologic parameters; uric acid