Abstract
The coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP) is relatively common in patients scheduled for coronary angiography, characterized by the delayed distal vessel opacification of contrast in the absence of significant epicardial coronary stenosis. Rather than a simple angiographic oddity, CSFP has significant clinical implications. Its etiology and pathophysiologic mechanisms have not been well elucidated so far, although several possible mechanisms have been proposed. The left atrial (LA) dysfunction initially attracted attention after the recognition of left ventricular (LV) systolic/diastolic dysfunction in patients with CSFP. In this commentary, we will address the clinical manifestations, possible pathophysiologic mechanisms, and the significance of LA function assessment in patients with CSFP, according to our research and existing literature.
Keywords
Coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP), left atrial (LA) function, two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE), strain, strain rate.