The relationship between CHA₂DS₂-VASc score and isolated coronary artery ectasia

Introduction: Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is defined as localized or diffuse dilatation of the epicardial coronary arteries. We aimed to elucidate the relationship between the CHA₂DS₂-VASc score and CAE.

Methods: The study population consisted of 122 patients with isolated CAE and 87 sex- and age-matched control subjects. The demographic, clinical, and laboratory profiles and CHA₂DS₂-VASc scores of patients with CAE and the control group were compared. The Markis classification was used to determine the extent of CAE. Coronary arteries in which ectasia was localized were identified. CHA₂DS₂-VASc scores were calculated for all patients. Parameters predicting the development of CAE were analyzed with multivariate logistic regression.

Results: The majority of patients with CAE were male (76, 62%) and their mean age was 58.4 ± 8.3. The CHA₂DS₂-VASc score of the CAE group was significantly higher than that of the control group (2.41 ± 1.12 vs 1.52 ± 0.73, P < 0.001). Multivariate regression analysis showed that the CHA₂DS₂-VASc score (odds ratio [OR] = 1.607, P = 0.004), left ventricular ejection fraction (OR = 0.953, P = 0.044), uric acid (OR = 1.569, P = 0.003), white blood cell count (OR = 1.001, P < 0.001), highly sensitive C-reactive protein level (OR = 1.115, P = 0.010), and smoking (OR = 2.019, P = 0.043) were independent predictors of CAE.

Conclusion: High CHA₂DS₂-VASc scores were associated with isolated CAE; therefore, the score might be a useful predictor of coronary thrombus development in patients with isolated CAE.