Blood group A predicts slow coronary flow in patients undergoing elective coronary angiography

Aim:Coronary slow flow (CSF) is an angiographic phenomenon characterized by slow progression of contrast in the coronary arteries in the absence of coronary artery obstruction. As it is not considered as benign finding and there is still no convincible pathophysiologic explanation, further research is needed. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between ABO blood groups and coronary flow characteristics.Material and Methods: The clinical, laboratory and angiographic data of 230 patients with SCF were collected retrospectively from our institutional databases. A total of 250age- and gender-matched subjects with normal coronary flow (NCF) were used as a control group. Coronary flow was assessed by using the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count (TFC). Coronary flow characteristics were evaluated according to ABO blood groups.Results:A total of230 patients with SCF (125 males, mean age: 54.6±9.1 years) and 250 subjects with NCF (134 males, mean age: 53.7±10.1 years) were included. In SCF group, cigarette smoking (33.5% vs %23.2; p=0.012), platelet count (257.2±73.3 x103/mm3 vs. 240.5±63.7 x103/mm3, p=0.011) and mean MPV (9.2±1.4 fL vs. 8.8±1.2 fL, p=0.001) were higher than subjects with NCF. Having blood group A was more common in SCF group than subjects with NCF (53.5% vs 41.2%; p=0.039).In the regression analysis, blood group A (OR=1.94; p=0.003), cigarette smoking (OR=1.57; p=0.033), platelet count (OR=1.03; p=0.008) and MPV (OR=1.27; p=0.002) were found to be as independent predictors of SCF.Conclusion:Blood group A is more common in SCF group and independently predicts SCF.Further studies are needed to evaluate the underlying mechanisms, but the relationship between blood groups and SCF seems multifactorial.