Plasma thrombin-antithrombin complex as a candidate biomarker for coronary slow flow

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Biochemistry
• Diagnostic Biomarkers

Background:

• Coronary slow flow (CSF) presents diagnostic challenges due to unclear pathophysiology.
• CSF is defined by delayed coronary perfusion without significant stenosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between thrombin-antithrombin (TAT) complex levels and CSF.
• To evaluate TAT as a potential diagnostic biomarker for CSF.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study including 91 CSF patients and 74 controls.
• Coronary blood flow assessed using thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count (TFC).
• Plasma TAT complex levels measured via chemiluminescent immunoassay; logistic regression and ROC analysis performed.

Main Results:

• CSF patients exhibited higher plasma TAT complex, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol levels.
• Multivariate analysis identified TAT as an independent predictor of CSF (OR: 1.71, p < 0.001).
• ROC analysis indicated a TAT level of 3.875 ng/ml predicted CSF with 89.2% specificity and 62.6% sensitivity.

Conclusions:

• Elevated plasma TAT complex levels are significantly associated with coronary slow flow.
• TAT complex shows potential as a candidate diagnostic biomarker for CSF.