Functional assessment of multivessel coronary artery disease: ischemia-guided percutaneous coronary intervention

Jonathan G Schwartz1, William F Fearon

  • 1Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA.

Insights

Fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurement provides a functional assessment of coronary artery disease, guiding revascularization to reduce adverse outcomes. FFR-guided treatment improves patient results compared to standard angiography alone.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Interventional Cardiology
  • Cardiovascular Imaging

Background:

  • Coronary angiography is the traditional method for evaluating coronary artery disease (CAD) and guiding revascularization.
  • Fractional flow reserve (FFR) offers a functional assessment of coronary lesions, complementing anatomical information from angiography.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the evidence supporting FFR-guided management of multivessel CAD.
  • To highlight the benefits of integrating functional ischemia assessment into treatment decisions.

Main Methods:

  • Review of clinical studies and evidence on FFR utilization in CAD.
  • Analysis of outcomes comparing FFR-guided revascularization versus standard angiography.

Main Results:

  • FFR-guided revascularization leads to fewer adverse events, including angina, myocardial infarction, and mortality.
  • Ischemic lesions identified by FFR are associated with higher adverse event rates when managed medically compared to non-ischemic lesions.

Conclusions:

  • FFR measurement is crucial for accurate lesion assessment and guides optimal revascularization strategies in multivessel CAD.
  • Combining anatomical and functional assessments, like the Functional SYNTAX Score, enhances therapeutic decision-making for complex CAD patients.

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