Objective  To investigate the changes of plasma lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), high sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP) and their relationships with coronary slow flow (CSF).

  Methods  A total of 65 CSF patients diagnosed with coronary angiography and 60 cases with normal coronary flow were selected as CSF group and control group. Coronary flow velocity was determined by the corrected blood flow framing method of thrombolytic therapy for myocardial infarction (TIMI). Plasma biochemical indexes, hs-CRP and Lp-PLA2 levels were detected in all patients.

  Results  There was no significant difference in clinical basic characteristics between two groups (P>0.05). Compared with the control group, the Lp-PLA2, hs-CRP and uric acid levels were significantly higher in CSF group (P < 0.05). The corrected TIMI frame count (TFC) for the left anterior descending artery, the left circumflex artery and the right coronary artery and the mean TFC were all significantly higher in CSF group than control group (P < 0.01). As the number of coronary arteries involved in CSF increased, the level of Lp-PLA2 gradually increased. Logistic regression analysis showed that Lp-PLA2 (OR=1.009, P=0.046) and hs-CRP (OR=1.071, P=0.048) were the independent predictors for CSF, and meanwhile, there was a significant positive correlation between Lp-PLA2 and hs-CRP (r=0.407, P < 0.001). Taking plasma Lp-PLA2 levels as the test variable, ROC curve analysis indicated that the area under the curve was 0.676 (P < 0.05).

  Conclusion  Plasma levels of Lp-PLA2 and hs-CRP are higher in patients with CSF when compared to patients with normal coronary anatomy, and Lp-PLA2 and hs-CRP are independent predictors for CSF. The higher Lp-PLA2 levels are correlated with the severity of CSF.