ACTA CARDIOLOGICA, cilt.63, sa.5, ss.579-584, 2008 (SCI-Expanded)
Background - The coronary slow flow phenomenon is an angiographic finding characterized by delayed distal vessel opacification in the absence of significant epicardial coronary disease, and is an important clinical entity because it may be the cause of angina at rest or during exercise, acute myocardial infarction, and hypertension. The pathophysiological mechanisms of the coronary slow flow phenomenon remain undetermined. Endothelial dysfunction and microvascular dysfunction have been suggested as underlying mechanisms. The slow coronary flow (SCF) phenomenon is considered to be a form of early phase atherosclerosis in some studies. A study of patients with SCF was conducted to determine the associated clinical and angiographic properties.