Abstract

The Naples prognostic score (NPS) predicts patient survival in gastroesophageal cancer using parameters related to nutritional and inflammatory status. These parameters include risk factors for coronary endothelial dysfunction except for low total cholesterol. Therefore, we modified the score (mNPS) to include high cholesterol, a risk factor for coronary endothelial dysfunction. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between mNPS and the angiographic epicardial coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP). This retrospective study included 301 patients with coronary slow flow who underwent coronary angiography between 2018 and 2022. The mNPS parameters were calculated and the population was divided into three groups based on the calculated parameters. Angiographic findings were classified in the left anterior descending (LAD), circumflex (Cx), right coronary (RCA) arteries, and three coronary arteries together. Statistical analyses were performed to identify mNPS as predictors of a slow flow phenomenon. Participants were divided into mNPS Group 1 (n=63), mNPS Group 2 (n=201), and mNPS Group 3 (n=37). No significant differences were observed in age, gender, or medications among the mNPS groups. The RCA had a statistically significant association with mNPS groups for slow flow phenomenon (p=0.006). Considering all three coronary arteries, the association with mNPS groups was also significant (p=0.005). White blood cell and lymphocyte counts showed significant differences. Compared with group 1, group 3 had 4.11 times more coronary artery slow flow. Our study suggests that the mNPS, integrating nutritional and inflammatory parameters along with high cholesterol, holds promise as a potential predictor for the coronary slow flow phenomenon. This could impact risk stratification and clinical management in this patient group.

Key words: Modified naples, prognostic score, coronary slow flow