Fractional Flow Reserve/ Instantaneous Wave-Free Ratio Discordance in Angiographically Intermediate Coronary Stenoses: An Analysis Using Doppler-Derived Coronary Flow Measurements

OBJECTIVES The study sought to determine the coronary flow characteristics of angiographically intermediate stenoses classified as discordant by fractional flow reserve (FFR) and instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR). BACKGROUND Discordance between FFR and iFR occurs in up to 20% of cases. No comparisons have been reported between the coronary flow characteristics of FFR/iFR discordant and angiographically unobstructed vessels. METHODS Baseline and hyperemic coronary flow velocity and coronary flow reserve (CFR) were compared across 5 vessel groups: FFRþ/iFRþ (108 vessels, n 1�4 91), FFR–/iFRþ (28 vessels, n 1�4 24), FFRþ/iFR– (22 vessels, n 1�4 22), FFR–/iFR– (208 vessels, n 1�4 154), and an unobstructed vessel group (201 vessels, n 1�4 153), in a post hoc analysis of the largest combined pressure and Doppler flow velocity registry (IDEAL [Iberian-Dutch-English] collaborators study). RESULTS FFRdisagreedwithiFRin14%(50of366).Baselineflowvelocitywassimilaracrossall5vesselgroups,includingthe unobstructed vessel group (p 1�4 0.34 for variance). In FFRþ/iFR– discordants, hyperemic flow velocity and CFR were similar to both FFR–/iFR– and unobstructed groups; 37.6 (interquartile range [IQR]: 26.1 to 50.4) cm/s vs. 40.0 [IQR: 29.7 to 52.3] cm/s and 42.2 [IQR: 33.8 to 53.2] cm/s and CFR 2.36 [IQR: 1.93 to 2.81] vs. 2.41 [IQR: 1.84 to 2.94] and 2.50 [IQR: 2.11 to 3.17], respectively (p > 0.05 for all). In FFR–/iFRþ discordants, hyperemic flow velocity, and CFR were similar to the FFRþ/iFRþ group; 28.2 (IQR: 20.5 to 39.7) cm/s versus 23.5 (IQR: 16.4 to 34.9) cm/s and CFR 1.44 (IQR: 1.29 to 1.85) versus 1.39 (IQR: 1.06 to 1.88), respectively (p > 0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS FFR/iFR disagreement was explained by differences in hyperemic coronary flow velocity. Furthermore, coronary stenoses classified as FFRþ/iFR– demonstrated similar coronary flow characteristics to angiographically unobstructed vessels

Extremely rare single right coronary artery: multidetector computed tomography findings

Coronary anomalies are rare, with a reported prevalence of 1.3% among patients who undergo coronary angiography. The great majority of coronary artery anomalies are incidental findings and are not clinically significant, but in some cases, may be responsible for angina, syncope, arrhythmias or even sudden death. In the following case, we describe coronary CT angiography findings of one of the rarest coronary anomalies. Lipton R-I type single right coronary artery has only been previously reported in very few occasions and has been seen in only 0.0007% of the population

Complicaciones hemorrágicas del tratamiento de los síndromes coronarios agudos

Los síndromes coronarios agudos representan un problema de salud pública. La meta principal del tratamiento incluye la reperfusión temprana cuando está indicada y evitar la recurrencia de eventos isquémicos. Para ello, se utilizan fármacos trombolíticos, anticoagulantes y antiplaquetarios cada vez más potentes que, aunque claramente mejoran el pronóstico isquémico, se acompañan de diversas complicaciones entre las que destacan las hemorrágicas. Cada vez se reconoce con mayor claridad la importancia de estas complicaciones y su impacto negativo en el pronóstico del paciente. Es indispensable reconocer al paciente que tiene un riesgo elevado de desarrollar hemorragia y escoger la terapéutica con el mejor perfil riesgo-beneficio. En caso de que el paciente presente un evento hemorrágico, debe de ser identificado y tratado prontamente de forma adecuada para minimizar su impacto negativo en el pronóstico

State of the art: pressure wire and coronary functional assessment

The pressure wire has revolutionised cardiology by moving the focus of revascularisation from anatomy to physiology. This review provides a comprehensive viewpoint on the foundations of the field of intra-coronary physiology, with emphasis on the development and clinical evidence of fractional flow reserve (FFR). Additionally, we critically appraise clinical decision making based on the evolving area of resting coronary physiology. The emerging role of coronary flow reserve and its complementariness with FFR is also discussed, and the importance of the invasive assessment of the coronary microcirculation in outlining prognosis is put into perspective. Overall, this review summarises the capacity of invasive coronary physiology indices to guide revascularisation and to discriminate patients at high risk of an adverse cardiovascular outcom

Coronary flow capacity: concept, promises, and challenges

The vasodilator capacity of the coronary circulation is an important diagnostic and prognostic characteristic, and its accurate assessment is therefore an important frontier. The coronary flow capacity (CFC) concept was introduced to overcome the limitations associated with the use of coronary flow reserve (CFR) for this purpose, which are related to the sensitivity of CFR to physiological alterations in systemic and coronary hemodynamics. CFC was developed from positron emission tomography, and was subsequently extrapolated to invasive coronary physiology. These studies suggest that CFC is a robust framework for the identification of clinically relevant coronary flow abnormalities, and improves identification of patients at risk for adverse events over the use of CFR alone. This Review will discuss the concept of CFC, its promises in the setting of ischaemic heart disease, and its challenges both in theoretical and practical term