Ultrasonic flow ratio reliable for assessing coronary stenosis

Ultrasonic flow ratio is a reliable method for computing fractional flow reserve in assessing coronary stenosis, a study published January 9 in the International Journal of Cardiology found. Researchers led by Cheng Yang from the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences in Beijing found that this novel intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-derived method has excellent concordance with fractional flow ratio, is non-inferior to quantitative flow reserve, and is superior to minimum lumen area. “Ultrasonic flow ratio provides a potentiality for the integration of physiological assessment and intravascular imaging in clinical practice,” Yang and colleagues wrote. IVUS offers a way to optimize percutaneous coronary intervention, with previous research demonstrating that it addresses the limitations of coronary angiography. The researchers added that IVUS has “exceptional” spatial resolution for clinicians to obtain a profile of the vessel wall. Fractional flow reserve is the gold standard for assessing the functional significance of coronary stenosis. However, the researchers noted that its use is limited by the high costs of pressure wires, reimbursement challenges, longer procedure times, and the possible side effects from adenosine. Ultrasonic flow ratio is a method derived from IVUS, using imaging data to quickly calculate fractional flow reserve. It does not use pressure wires or adenosine. Yang and co-authors compared the diagnostic performance of ultrasonic flow ratio and...
Source: AuntMinnie.com Headlines - Category: Radiology Authors: Tags: Subspecialties Cardiovascular Radiology Source Type: news