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Original Article
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Volume 334:1703-1708 June 27, 1996 Number 26
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Measurement of Fractional Flow Reserve to Assess the Functional Severity of Coronary-Artery Stenoses
Nico H.J. Pijls, M.D., Ph.D., Bernard de Bruyne, M.D., Kathinka Peels, M.D., Pepijn H. van der Voort, M.D., Hans J.R.M. Bonnier, M.D., Ph.D., Jozef Bartunek, M.D., and Jacques J. Koolen, M.D., Ph.D.

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ABSTRACT

Background The clinical significance of coronary-artery stenoses of moderate severity can be difficult to determine. Myocardial fractional flow reserve (FFR) is a new index of the functional severity of coronary stenoses that is calculated from pressure measurements made during coronary arteriography. We compared this index with the results of noninvasive tests commonly used to detect myocardial ischemia, to determine the usefulness of the index.

Methods In 45 consecutive patients with moderate coronary stenosis and chest pain of uncertain origin, we performed bicycle exercise testing, thallium scintigraphy, stress echocardiography with dobutamine, and quantitative coronary arteriography and compared the results with measurements of FFR.

Results In all 21 patients with an FFR of less than 0.75, reversible myocardial ischemia was demonstrated unequivocally on at least one noninvasive test. After coronary angioplasty or bypass surgery was performed, all the positive test results reverted to normal. In contrast, 21 of the 24 patients with an FFR of 0.75 or higher tested negative for reversible myocardial ischemia on all the noninvasive tests. No revascularization procedures were performed in these patients, and none were required during 14 months of follow-up. The sensitivity of FFR in the identification of reversible ischemia was 88 percent, the specificity 100 percent, the positive predictive value 100 percent, the negative predictive value 88 percent, and the accuracy 93 percent.

Conclusions In patients with coronary stenosis of moderate severity, FFR appears to be a useful index of the functional severity of the stenoses and the need for coronary revascularization.


Source Information

From the Department of Cardiology, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, the Netherlands (N.H.J.P., K.P., P.H.V., H.J.R.M.B., J.J.K.), and the Cardiovascular Center, Aalst, Belgium (B.B., J.B.).

Address reprint requests to Dr. Pijls at the Department of Cardiology, Catharina Hospital, P.O. Box 1350, 5602 ZA Eindhoven, the Netherlands.

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Related Letters:

Functional Severity of Coronary-Artery Stenoses
Paulin S., Pijls N. H.J., De Bruyne B., Wilson R. F.
Extract | Full Text  
N Engl J Med 1996; 335:1687-1688, Nov 28, 1996. Correspondence

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