Metoprolol does not effect myocardial fractional flow reserve in patients with intermediate coronary stenoses

Murat Ozdemir1, Guliz Erdem Yazici, Sedat Turkoglu

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Gazi University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.

International Heart Journal
|September 11, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Metoprolol treatment did not affect myocardial fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurements in patients with intermediate coronary artery stenoses. This finding suggests FFR remains a reliable indicator of stenosis severity even after metoprolol administration.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Interventional Cardiology
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Myocardial fractional flow reserve (FFR) is a key diagnostic tool for assessing the hemodynamic significance of coronary artery stenoses.
  • Intermediate coronary stenoses require careful evaluation to determine the need for revascularization.
  • The potential impact of medications, such as metoprolol, on FFR values is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of intravenous metoprolol on FFR measurements in patients with intermediate-grade coronary stenoses.
  • To determine if metoprolol administration alters the hemodynamic significance of coronary lesions as assessed by FFR.

Main Methods:

  • Eighteen patients with intermediate coronary stenoses (30-70% narrowing) and preserved ejection fraction underwent FFR measurement.
  • FFR was measured using a pressure wire and intracoronary adenosine before and after intravenous metoprolol administration.
  • Metoprolol was administered to achieve at least a 10% decrease in heart rate.

Main Results:

  • Metoprolol significantly reduced heart rate.
  • Aortic and distal coronary pressures showed minimal changes after metoprolol.
  • The FFR values before (0.83 ± 0.07) and after (0.83 ± 0.08) metoprolol administration were nearly identical, indicating no significant difference.

Conclusions:

  • Metoprolol treatment does not significantly influence FFR values in patients with intermediate coronary stenoses and preserved ejection fraction.
  • FFR remains a reliable index for evaluating coronary stenosis severity irrespective of metoprolol use in this patient group.
Abstract

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