Fractional flow reserve
Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR)
Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) is a technique used in coronary catheterization to measure the pressure differences across a coronary artery stenosis (narrowing) to determine the likelihood that the stenosis impedes oxygen delivery to the heart muscle (myocardial ischemia).
Pronunciation
Fractional Flow Reserve: /ˈfrækʃənəl floʊ rɪˈzɜːrv/
Etymology
The term "Fractional Flow Reserve" is derived from the concept that it measures the 'fraction' of blood flow that reaches the myocardium, or heart muscle, beyond a stenosis in a coronary artery.
Procedure
The FFR measurement is done during a routine RHC or PCI. A guide wire is passed down the length of the coronary artery, past the stenosis. A small sensor on the wire measures the pressure of blood flow behind and in front of the stenosis. The ratio of these pressures is the FFR.
Clinical Significance
FFR is used to determine if a stenosis is significant enough to warrant CABG or PCI. An FFR of 0.80 or less is generally considered significant, indicating that the stenosis is causing a sufficient reduction in blood flow to warrant intervention.
Related Terms
- Coronary artery disease (CAD): A disease that causes narrowing of the coronary arteries.
- Stenosis: The narrowing of a blood vessel.
- Myocardial Ischemia: A condition where blood flow to the heart muscle is reduced, causing a lack of oxygen.
- Coronary Catheterization: A procedure used to diagnose and treat cardiovascular conditions.
- Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI): A non-surgical procedure used to treat the stenotic coronary arteries.
- Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG): A type of surgery that improves blood flow to the heart.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Fractional flow reserve
- Wikipedia's article - Fractional flow reserve
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