Fractional flow reserve use in coronary artery revascularization: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Impact of Systematic Use of Fractional Flow Reserve and Optical Coherence Tomography on Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Outcomes in Patients With Diabetes

Background

Intracoronary imaging and physiology guidance of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have shown significant improvements in clinical outcomes. However, comparable data on the use of these modalities in PCI of patients with diabetes are only sparsely available from South Asia. This study investigated the feasibility and clinical outcomes of systematic use of fractional flow reserve (FFR) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) during PCI in patients with diabetes.

Methods

The study enrolled 275 patients (≥ 18 years) from nine centers in India and one from Bangladesh between October 2021 and September 2022. Patients with stable ischemic heart disease, non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (MI), and unstable angina were included in the study. Angiographically intermediate lesions (diameter stenosis of 40% to 80%) underwent FFR-guided PCI. Lesions with a diameter stenosis of > 80% underwent PCI without FFR evaluation. All PCI procedures were guided by OCT using the MLD-MAX algorithm.

Results

At 12 months, the target lesion failure (TLF) rate, a composite of cardiac death, nonfatal MI, and clinically driven target lesion revascularization, was 3.3%. Among the intermediate lesions, PCI was deferred by 70% after the FFR evaluation. Pre- and post-procedural OCT has led to a strategy change in 49.5% and 33.6%, respectively.

Conclusions

The study revealed a relatively lower rate of events with FFR and OCT guidance compared to historical data from angiography-guided PCI in patients with diabetes. The strategy of combined use of FFR and OCT in PCI may contribute to improved clinical outcomes in patients with diabetes.

Non-invasive imaging innovation: FFR-CT combined with plaque characterization, safeguarding your cardiac health

Studies have shown that high-risk plaque features (including thin fibrous caps, lipid-rich cores, large plaque volumes, and intraplaque microcalcifications) are closely associated with the occurrence of acute coronary events. CT-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) is a non-invasive imaging post-processing technique that utilizes artificial intelligence to analyze data obtained from conventional coronary CT angiography (CCTA). FFR-CT technology offers the hemodynamic assessment of coronary lesions, aiding in the prediction of potential cardiovascular risks. This review summarizes the latest research progress on the complex relationship between FFR-CT, plaque characteristics, and hemodynamics, closely linking plaque volume, composition, and distribution with the clinical significance of coronary artery stenosis. It is hoped that these research findings will provide valuable guidance for clinicians, promoting the application of CT in the non-invasive detection of vulnerable plaques, thereby more effectively preventing and managing coronary artery disease. In the future, further optimization of FFR-CT technology and expansion of its clinical application are expected to significantly reduce the incidence and mortality of coronary artery disease, offering new hope for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Comparison between Imaging and Physiology in Guiding Coronary Revascularization: A Meta-Analysis

Background: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a widely used revascularization strategy for coronary artery disease. The choice between imaging-guided and physiology-guided PCI has been a subject of debate. This meta-analysis aims to systematically compare outcomes between imaging and physiology-guided PCI and management of intermediate coronary lesions (ICLs). Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across major databases for studies published up to December 2023 following PRISMA guidelines. Seven eligible studies comparing imaging-guided and physiology-guided PCI were selected for the final analysis. Relevant outcome measures included major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), target vessel revascularization (TVR), target vessel failure (TVF), and target lesion revascularization (TLR). Subgroup analysis was performed for ICLs. Results: A total of 5701 patients were included in the meta-analysis. After a mean follow-up of 2.1 years, imaging-guided PCI was associated with lower rates of TVR compared to physiology-guided PCI (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.52-0.95, p = 0.02); concerning MACE, TVF, and TLR, no differences were found. When the analysis was restricted to studies considering ICLs management, there were no differences between the two techniques. Meta regression analysis did not show any impact of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) presentation on MACE and TVR. Conclusions: The findings suggest that imaging-guided PCI may reduce the need for future revascularization of the target vessel compared to the functional-guided approach, and this result was not influenced by ACS presentation. These results may have important implications for clinical practice, guiding interventional cardiologists in selecting the most appropriate guidance strategy.