Jan Piek
Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Title: Fundamentals in coronary physiology: coronary pressure and flow for clinical decision making
Biography
Biography: Jan Piek
Abstract
Wide attention for the appropriateness of coronary stenting in stable ischemic heart disease has increased interest in coronary physiology to guide decision making. For many, coronary physiology equals the measurement of coronary pressure to calculate the fractional flow reserve (FFR). While accumulating evidence supports the contention that FFR-guided revascularization is superior to revascularization based on coronary angiography, it is frequently overlooked that FFR is a coronary pressure-derived estimate of coronary flow impairment. It is not the same as the direct measures of coronary flow from which it was derived, and which are critical determinants of myocardial ischemia. The presentation includes the basic principles of coronary pressure and flow measurements, why coronary flow is physiologically and clinically more important than coronary pressure as well as the limitations and clinical consequences of FFR-guided clinical decision making. Moreover, the scientific consequences of using FFR as a gold standard reference test are discussed including the potential of coronary flow to improve risk stratification and clinical decision making in patients with ischemic heart disease.