ABSTRACT

FFR-The all in one approach for managing coronary artery disease;


Multiple studies have shown that cardiac prognosis in patients with stable coronary disease (CAD) is dependent on the presence of myocardial ischemia and unrelated to the extent of epicardial stenosis. However, there is ongoing debate whether there exists an optimal functional test that can be used in all patient groups. Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR), a highly sensitive and specific index of myocardial ischemia, and has many properties to fulfil this role. FFR is derived independently in each epicardial vessel and thus remains diagnostically accurate in patients with multi-vessel and left main disease. It has a high spatial resolution and is not influenced by haemodynamic parameters. Furthermore, it is highly reproducible and the results not open to interpretation. Therefore, it has been suggested that FFR is the current "gold standard" functional test to accompany patients undergoing coronary angiography.


Dr MELIKIAN Narbeh, LONDON , (ENGLAND)