A Novel Angiography-Derived Computational Coronary Flow Reserve to Evaluate Non-Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease

Jingpu Wang1, Yumeng Hu2, Xinyi Yang2

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.

Insights

A new angiography-based method (Angio-CFR) offers a cost-effective and reproducible way to measure coronary flow reserve (CFR). This technique shows promising diagnostic accuracy for assessing coronary artery disease risk.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular medicine
  • Medical imaging
  • Diagnostic techniques

Background:

  • Coronary flow reserve (CFR) is crucial for risk stratification in coronary artery disease.
  • Current CFR measurement methods are limited by high cost, long procedure times, and poor reproducibility.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To introduce and evaluate a novel angiography-based method (Angio-CFR) for assessing coronary flow reserve.
  • To determine the diagnostic performance of Angio-CFR compared to thermodilution-derived CFR.

Main Methods:

  • 107 patients undergoing invasive coronary angiography were prospectively enrolled.
  • Flow velocity at rest and hyperemia was estimated from angiographic images.
  • Angio-CFR was calculated as the ratio of hyperemic to resting flow velocity.

Main Results:

  • Angio-CFR demonstrated a strong correlation with thermodilution-derived CFR (r=0.72, p<0.001).
  • Angio-CFR effectively discriminated CFR values below 2.5 (AUC=0.879, p<0.001).
  • The method achieved high accuracy (81.71%), sensitivity (83.33%), and specificity (81.25%).

Conclusions:

  • Angio-CFR provides a pressure-wire-free alternative for coronary function assessment.
  • This novel method shows promising diagnostic accuracy and accessibility for clinical CFR measurement.