Prognostic value of microvascular resistance and its association to fractional flow reserve: a DEFINE-FLOW substudy

Ashkan Eftekhari, Jelmer Westra, Valérie Stegehuis, Niels Ramsing Holm, Tim P. van de Hoef, Richard L. Kirkeeide, Jan J. Piek, K. Lance Gould, Nils P. Johnson, Evald H. j Christiansen

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Abstract

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of hyperemic microvascular resistance (HMR) and its relationship with hyperemic stenosis resistance (HSR) index and fractional flow reserve (FFR) in stable coronary artery disease. Methods This is a substudy of the DEFINE-FLOW cohort (NCT02328820), which evaluated the prognosis of lesions (n=456) after combined FFR and coronary flow reserve (CFR) assessment in a prospective, non-blinded, non-randomised, multicentre study in 12 centres in Europe and Japan. Participants (n=430) were evaluated by wire-based measurement of coronary pressure, flow and vascular resistance (ComboWire XT, Phillips Volcano, San Diego, California, USA). Results Mean FFR and CFR were 0.82±0.10 and 2.2±0.6, respectively. When divided according to FFR and CFR thresholds (above and below 0.80 and 2.0, respectively), HMR was highest in lesions with FFR>0.80 and CFR<2.0 (n=99) compared with lesions with FFR≤0.80 and CFR≥2.0 (n=68) (2.92±1.2 vs 1.91±0.64 mm Hg/cm/s, p<0.001). The FFR value was proportional to the ratio between HMR and the HMR+HSR (total resistance), 95% limits of agreement (-0.032; 0.019), bias (-0.003±0.02) and correlation (r 2 =0.98, p<0.0001). Cox regression model using HMR as continuous parameter for target vessel failure showed an HR of 1.51, 95% CI (0.9 to 2.4), p=0.10. Conclusions Increased HMR was not associated with a higher rate of adverse clinical events, in this population of mainly stable patients. FFR can be equally well expressed as HMR/HMR+HSR, thereby providing an alternative conceptual formulation linking epicardial severity with microvascular resistance. Trial registration number NCT02328820.

Original languageEnglish
Article number001981
JournalOpen Heart
Volume9
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 11 Apr 2022

Keywords

  • coronary artery disease
  • coronary vessels
  • microvascular angina

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