Interv Akut Kardiol. 2022;21(4):229-239 | DOI: 10.36290/kar.2022.036

Coronary physiology assessment: a routine method in a modern catheterization center

Kristýna Hlaváčová¹, Jan Kaňovský^{1, 2}, Ivona Kask¹, David Pospíšil^{1, 2}, Martin Hudec^{1, 2}, Petr Kala^{1, 2}

¹ Interní kardiologická klinika, Fakultní nemocnice Brno

² Interní kardiologická klinika, Lékařská fakulta Masarykovy univerzity, Brno

Hemodynamic examination of coronary lesions using both hyperemic and non-hyperemic indices is currently a routine part of invasive procedures in catheterization laboratories. The most frequent indication for hemodynamic assessment is to clarify the functional significance of angiographically borderline lesions. Fractional flow reserve is used to assess the degree of functional impairment of the epicardial arteries. Coronary flow reserve is used to describe the hemodynamic condition of the coronary vessels and microvasculature. The microcirculation itself is characterized by the index of microvascular resistance. Thanks to the dynamic development of technology and efforts to reduce the costs and the degree of invasiveness of the examination, new modern methods are being developed. They allow to achieve the functional characteristics of borderline lesions on the basis of imaging data only, whether derived from angiography or, for example, CT coronary angiography.

Keywords: fractional flow reserve, microcirculation, pressure wire and microcatheter, angiography.

Accepted: December 9, 2022; Published: December 19, 2022  Show citation