Effects of patients anxiety and depression scores on coronary flow in patients with normal coronary arteries

Coronary slow flow phenomenon first described by Tambe et al. in 1972, is a coronary microvascular disorder characterized by the delayed passage of contrast in the absence of obstructive epicardial coronary disease [1], [2]. Quantitatively, it is measured as increased Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) frame count. TIMI frame count, introduced by Gibson [3], is a reproducible index of coronary flow. Although the exact processes are not known well yet, microvascular dysfunction or abnormal vasomotion is one of the most forthcoming mechanism underlying SCF phenomenon [2], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10]. Anxiety and depression has been shown to be associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events, progression of atherosclerosis and death [11]. Accordingly we aimed to assess the possible relation of patients' anxiety and depression status on coronary flow pattern in patients with angiographically normal coronary arteries, and slow coronary flow phenomenon.