Predictive Value of Coronary Blood Flow for Future Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with impaired coronary flow and diminished myocardial perfusion [1–3]. In a previous study, we demonstrated that patients with AF in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) have significantly higher Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) frame count (TFC) for all three coronary vessels compared to the control subjects without AF [1]. However, the clinical importance of the increased TFC in AF patients has not been fully elucidated, although TFC seems to be independently associated with mean platelet volume [4], an independent risk factor for future stroke and myocardial infarction, and it has been reported that diminished myocardial perfusion, assessed by single-photon emission computed tomography, is associated with unfavorable outcomes in patients with AF [2].
Source: International Journal of Cardiology - Category: Cardiology Authors: Source Type: research