Beta 2 microglobulin levels are higher in Coronary Slow Flow Phenomenon

Aim: To examine the association between plasma levels of β-2 microglobulin (β-2M), a protein previously associated with atherosclerosis, and the presence of coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP). Material and Methods: 124 subjects who admitted to cardiology outpatient clinic with chest pain and directed to coronary angiography were investigated. Sixty-six of them had healthy coronary arteries and the others coronary slow flow. Venous blood samples were obtained to determine β-2M levels. TIMI frame count (TFC) was used to assess the classification of slow flow.Results: Patients with coronary slow flow had higher levels of β-2M levels than healthy controls (2042.0 ± 660.2 and 1692.7 ± 403.4 ng / mL respectively) and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). β-2M levels were positively correlated with TFC (r=0.262, p= 0.003). Although groups were different in terms of β-2M, LDL and total cholesterol, Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated stronger predictive value of β-2M compared to LDL or total cholesterol in predicting the presence of CSF in our study population (area under curve [AUC] 0.748, 0.632 and 0.581; p<0.001, p=0.025 and p= 0.061 respectively). Conclusion: High serum β-2M levels can be used as a biomarker to evaluate the slow flow.