iFR Can Reduce Use of Adenosine, Saving Time and Costs in Assessing Need for Stents

When Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) has been used as a decision-making tool in the DEFER, FAME and FAME II studies, the use of stenting declined by one-third, saving costs for the healthcare system and significantly improving outcomes for patients. One drawback to FFR, however, is that a vasodilator, such as adenosine, must be given to the patient to measure the blood flow accurately: this increases costs and often causes discomfort for the patient. In the past few years, however, a new measurement has been developed by researchers in London and is being commercialized by Volcano Corporation (NASDAQ: VOLC). Called iFR (Instantaneous wave-Free Ratio) a functional measurement of ischemia in an artery can be performed very quickly and without need for a vasodilating agent.
Source: News from Angioplasty.Org - Category: Cardiology Source Type: news