Validation of coronary flow reserve measurements by thermodilution in clinical practice.

BACKGROUND

Coronary flow reserve (CFR) and fractional flow reserve (FFR) provide complementary information on the coronary circulation. Using a pressure wire, it is possible to calculate CFR by thermodilution (CFR(thermo)), so that FFR and CFR can be measured with a single guide wire. The present multicentric study was performed to compare the feasibility of CFR(thermo)obtained with an improved algorithm and a standardized injection technique and its agreement with Doppler-derived CFR (CFR(Doppler)).

METHODS AND RESULTS

In 86 patients with coronary artery disease recruited during 1 week in eight centres FFR, CFR(thermo)and CFR(Doppler)were measured. FFR could be obtained in all patients (100%). An optimal CFR(Doppler)could be obtained in 69% of the patients. CFR(thermo)could be obtained in 97% of the patients. A significant correlation was found between CFR(Doppler)and CFR(thermo)(r=0.79, P<0.0001) but CFR(thermo)tended to be higher than CFR(Doppler).

CONCLUSIONS

In a setting close to 'real world' practice, this multicentric study confirms the feasibility and reliability of thermodilution-derived CFR. In addition, the safety and the swiftness of assessing FFR and CFR with one single guide wire makes the latter a unique clinical tool for the evaluation of the coronary circulation.