Background: Slow coronary flow (SCF) is a coronary microvascular disorder characterised by delayed opacification of coronary vessels in a normal coronary angiogram. Coronary endothelial dysfunction plays an important pathogenetic role in patients with SCF. Oxidative stress is associated with cardiovascular diseases.
Aim: To assess the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidative status (TOS) in patients with SCF.
Methods: The study included 36 patients with SCF. An age- and gender-matched control group was composed of 30 patients with normal coronary arteries and normal coronary flow. We measured plasma TAC and TOS levels and oxidative stress index(OSI) value in patients and control subjects. Linear regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with the mean TIMI frame count (TFC).
Results: Plasma TOS level and OSI value were significantly higher in the SCF group compared to the control group (p = 0.005 and p = 0.004, respectively). However, there was no significant difference in plasma TAC levels between the groups (p = 0.104). Factors associated with mean TFC were plasma TOS levels (β = 0.425, p = 0.002) and fasting glucose levels (β = 0.099, p = 0.01) in linear regression analysis.
Conclusions: We found that plasma TOS and OSI were significantly higher in SCF compared to the control group and plasma TOS levels were independently associated with mean TFC.