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Review
. 2022 Mar 14:17:e08.
doi: 10.15420/ecr.2021.46. eCollection 2022 Feb.

Slow Coronary Blood Flow: Pathogenesis and Clinical Implications

Andrea Aparicio  1 , Javier Cuevas  1 , César Morís  1 , María Martín  1
Affiliations
Review

Slow Coronary Blood Flow: Pathogenesis and Clinical Implications

Andrea Aparicio et al. Eur Cardiol. .

Abstract

Coronary slow flow (CSF) phenomenon, also known as cardiac syndrome Y, is defined as the delayed opacification of the coronary vasculature at the distal level. Different hypotheses and theories have been postulated about its substrate and mechanism, such as microvascular and endothelial dysfunction. Several studies have confirmed that CSF is a cause of ischaemia detected by non-invasive testing. Clinically, it can present as angina pectoris, acute coronary syndrome and sudden cardiac death. It has an incidence of 1-5% in patients undergoing coronary angiography and has been most frequently found in young men who are smokers with metabolic syndrome. There are no established treatments for CSF and further studies are still necessary.

Keywords: Coronary slow flow; acute coronary syndrome; angina; angiography.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: MM is on the European Cardiology Review editorial board; this did not influence peer review. All other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1:
Figure 1:. Diagnostic Criteria for Coronary Slow Flow, as Proposed by Beltrame 2012[13]
Figure 2:
Figure 2:. Pathogenic Pathways and Clinical Presentation of Coronary Slow Flow Phenomenon
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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