Elevated total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio as a novel predictor of coronary slow flow

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that inflammation and atherosclerosis play an important role in the development of coronary slow flow (CSF). A high total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TC/HDL-C) ratio is associated with generalised atherosclerosis, inflammation, adverse cardiovascular events. This retrospective study aimed to explore the relationship between the TC/HDL-C ratio and CSF. METHODS: This study included 107 patients with angiographically confirmed CSF and 196 patients with normal coronary artery flow as controls. Coronary flow velocity was measured by using the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count (TFC). Lipid parameters were measured in all subjects, and the TC/HDL-C ratio was calculated. RESULTS: Patients with CSF had a significantly higher TC/HDL-C ratio compared with the controls. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated that the TC/HDL-C ratio had better predictive value for CSF than total cholesterol. CONCLUSION: The TC/HDL-C ratio is closely associated with the presence of CSF, and an elevated TC/HDL-C ratio may serve as a predictor of CSF.