Predictive value of the CHA₂DS₂-VASc-HSF score for slow flow during rotational atherectomy in patients with severe coronary artery calcification.

backgroundSlow flow is a frequent complication of rotational atherectomy (RA) for severe coronary artery calcification (CAC), yet effective preprocedural risk stratification tools are lacking. The CHA₂DS₂-VASc-HSF score incorporates multiple cardiovascular risk factors and may help predict adverse procedural outcomes.

methodsWe retrospectively analyzed 256 patients with severe CAC undergoing RA. Patients were divided into a slow flow group (thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) 0–2) and normal flow group (TIMI 3) based on post-RA angiographic assessment. Clinical, procedural, and angiographic data were compared. Independent predictors were identified using multivariate logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristic analysis assessed the predictive performance of variables.

resultsSlow flow occurred in 18.8% of patients. The slow flow group had significantly higher CHA₂DS₂-VASc-HSF scores, longer lesion lengths, smaller reference vessel diameters, and lower preprocedural systolic blood pressure (SBP). Multivariate analysis identified all four as independent predictors. The CHA₂DS₂-VASc-HSF score alone had moderate predictive value (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.658), while a combined model incorporating the score with lesion length, reference diameter, and SBP achieved the highest accuracy (AUC = 0.893). Slow flow was also associated with a higher in-hospital rate of major adverse cardiovascular events.

conclusionThe CHA₂DS₂-VASc-HSF score is an independent predictor of slow flow during RA and, when combined with anatomical and hemodynamic variables, may enhance risk stratification. These findings support its use in preprocedural planning for patients with severe CAC.