Abstract
BACKGROUND: The relationship between several inflammatory biomarkers and slow coronary flow phenomenon(SCFP) has been reported. However, the correlation between neutrophil percentage-to-albumin ratio (NPAR) and SCFP is lacking. In this study, we aimed to assess the relationship between NPAR and SCFP. METHODS: A total of 228 patients were enrolled in this study according to the diagnostic and exclusion criteria. 76 patients were included in the SCFP group, and 152 age-matched patients were included in the normal coronary flow (NCF) group. The baseline data, laboratory parameters and coronary angiography were recorded and compared. RESULTS: The values of NPAR were significantly higher in the SCFP group than those in the NCF group (1.78[1.58,1.88] vs. 1.42[1.24,1.66], P < 0.001). NPAR elevated as the number of vessels involved SCFP increased. In the multiple logistic regression tests, NPAR was an independent predictor of SCFP (OR: 1.239, 95%CI: 1.124-1.367, p < 0.001). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the cutoff value of NPAR for predicting SCFP was > 1.57 with a 76.3% sensitivity and 67.1% specificity [the area under the curve (AUC) = 0.727, 95%CI: 0.659-0.795, p < 0.001]. NPAR had a better predictive value of SCFP than neutrophil percentage, but not albumin. CONCLUSION: Elevated NPAR may be an independent and valuable predictor of SCFP.