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Updated: May 11, 2026

Interventional Diagnostic Procedure: A Practical Guide for the Assessment of Coronary Vascular Function
Published on: March 15, 2022
How should I treat a patient with typical angina, typical angiography, negative FFR?
Alexander Jabs1, Ulrich Hink, Massimo Fineschi
1Department of Cardiology and Angiology, University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany.
Insights
Persistent angina after coronary stenting suggests microvascular dysfunction. Fractional flow reserve (FFR) may not fully capture complex interactions between epicardial stenosis and microvascular issues in some patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Interventional Cardiology
- Physiology
Background:
- A 63-year-old male presented with typical angina, undergoing cardiac catheterization.
- Angiography revealed significant stenosis in the first diagonal, proximal circumflex, and an intermediate branch.
Observation:
- Following successful stenting of the diagonal branch, symptoms persisted.
- Fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurements for the circumflex and intermediate branches were negative.
Findings:
- The persistent symptoms despite negative FFR indicate a potential complex interplay.
- Microvascular hyporeactivity may contribute to angina in the presence of epicardial stenosis.
Implications:
- This case highlights the limitations of FFR in complex coronary artery disease.
- Further investigation into microvascular function is crucial for managing refractory angina.
Background:
A 63-year-old man was referred for cardiac catheterisation for typical angina. At angiography, high-grade stenosis of the first diagonal branch, of the proximal circumflex and of an intermediate branch was found. After treatment of the diagonal branch, fractional flow reserve of the circumflex and intermediate branch was negative, but symptoms persisted.
Investigation:
Physical examination, laboratory test, stress echocardiography, fractional flow reserve, coronary flow reserve.
Diagnosis:
Complex interaction between epicardial stenosis and microvascular hyporeactivity.
Management:
Stenting.
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