Anxiety and depression relationship with coronary slow flow.

Background: Psychiatric disorders (depression / anxiety) are linked to coronary artery disease (CAD). Coronary slow flow (CSF) is a relatively common form of CAD with the same underlying mechanisms that are attributed to many anatomic and pathophysiologic factors. However, the relationship between psychiatric disorders and CSF is less well-established; and this is the aim of this study.

Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted on the first 50 consecutive patients diagnosed with CSF by elective coronary angiography (CAG). They were compared with another 50 consecutive patients showing normal coronaries by CAG. Beck Anxiety Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory were used for assessment. CSF was diagnosed by coronary angiography "Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction" frame count. Lipid profile was obtained for all patients.

Results: Traditional risk factors (male gender, smoking, total cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins and triglycerides) were higher in the CSF group. Depression and anxiety scores were also higher in the CSF group. On multivariate analysis, male gender, depression and high triglycerides were the only significant independent predictors of CSF. A significant correlation existed between CSF and both anxiety and depression scores. Both scores were also significantly higher in multivessel vs single vessel affection.

Conclusion: Psychiatric depression, male gender and high triglycerides are highly associated with CSF in patients undergoing elective CAG. There is a significant correlation between CSF severity and the severity of both anxiety and depression. Further studies are warranted to explore the impact of psychological intervention on CSF and its long-term outcome.