Characterization of quantitative flow ratio and fractional flow reserve discordance using doppler flow and clinical follow-up

Jelmer Westra, Ashkan Eftekhari, Mick P. L. Renkens, Hernán Mejía-Rentería, Martin Sejr-Hansen, Valérie Stegehuis, Niels Ramsing Holm, Robbert J. de Winter, Jan J. Piek, Javier Escaned, J. J. Wykrzykowska, Evald H. j Christiansen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Abstract: The physiological mechanisms of quantitative flow ratio and fractional flow reserve disagreement are not fully understood. We aimed to characterize the coronary flow and resistance profile of intermediate stenosed epicardial coronary arteries with concordant and discordant FFR and QFR. Post-hoc analysis of the DEFINE-FLOW study. Anatomical and Doppler-derived physiological parameters were compared for lesions with FFR+QFR− (n = 18) vs. FFR+QFR+ (n = 43) and for FFR−QFR+ (n = 34) vs. FFR−QFR− (n = 139). The association of QFR results with the two-year rate of target vessel failure was assessed in the proportion of vessels (n = 195) that did not undergo revascularization. Coronary flow reserve was higher [2.3 (IQR: 2.1–2.7) vs. 1.9 (IQR: 1.5–2.4)], hyperemic microvascular resistance lower [1.72 (IQR: 1.48–2.31) vs. 2.26 (IQR: 1.79–2.87)] and anatomical lesion severity less severe [% diameter stenosis 45.5 (IQR: 41.5–52.5) vs. 58.5 (IQR: 53.1–64.0)] for FFR+QFR− lesions compared with FFR+QFR+ lesions. In comparison of FFR−QFR+ vs. FFR-QFR- lesions, lesion severity was more severe [% diameter stenosis 55.2 (IQR: 51.7–61.3) vs. 43.4 (IQR: 35.0–50.6)] while coronary flow reserve [2.2 (IQR: 1.9–2.9) vs. 2.2 (IQR: 1.9–2.6)] and hyperemic microvascular resistance [2.34 (IQR: 1.85–2.81) vs. 2.57 (IQR: 2.01–3.22)] did not differ. The agreement and diagnostic performance of FFR using hyperemic stenosis resistance (> 0.80) as reference standard was higher compared with QFR and coronary flow reserve. Disagreement between FFR and QFR is partly explained by physiological and anatomical factors. Clinical Trials Registrationhttps://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT01813435. Graphical abstract: Changes in central physiological and anatomical parameters according to FFR and QFR match/mismatch quadrants.[Figure not available: see fulltext.]
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1181-1190
Number of pages10
Journalinternational journal of cardiovascular imaging
Volume38
Issue number6
Early online date2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2022

Keywords

  • Coronary flow reserve
  • Coronary physiology
  • Fractional flow reserve
  • Quantitative coronary angiography

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