Prognostic Implications of Fractional Flow Reserve and Coronary Flow Reserve After Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation

Abstract

Background: Fractional flow reserve (FFR) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) provides prognostic information, but limited data are available regarding prognostication using post-PCI coronary flow reserve (CFR). In this study we aimed to assess the prognostic value of post-procedural FFR and CFR for target vessel failure (TVF) after PCI. Methods and Results: This lesion-based post-hoc pooled analysis of previously published registry data involved 466 patients with chronic coronary syndrome with single-vessel disease who underwent pre- and post-PCI FFR and CFR measurements, and were followed-up to determine the predictors of TVF. The prognostic value of post-PCI CFR and FFR was compared with that of FFR or CFR alone. Post-PCI FFR/CFR discordant results were observed in 42.5%, and 10.3% of patients had documented TVF. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the optimal cutoff values of post-PCI FFR and CFR to predict the occurrence of TVF were 0.85 and 2.26, respectively. Significant differences in TVF were detected according to post-PCI FFR (≤0.85 vs. >0.85, P=0.007) and post-PCI CFR (<2.26 vs. ≥2.26, P<0.001). Post-PCI FFR ≤0.85 and post-PCI CFR <2.26 were independent prognostic predictors. Conclusions: After PCI completion, discordant results between FFR and CFR were not uncommon. Post-PCI CFR categorization showed incremental prognostic value for predicting TVF independent of post-PCI FFR risk stratification.