FFR_CT Technology

Invasive Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR)

Fractional Flow Reserve is currently measured during invasive coronary angiography by placing a pressure measuring guide wire directly in the coronary artery while adenosine (a pharmacologic agent used to simulate exercise) is administered to the patient. The ratio of the blood pressure in the diseased vessel to the blood pressure in the aorta at the origin of the coronary artery is the FFR value.

FFR has been recognized by the European Society of Cardiology as the gold standard (Class Ia data) for guiding treatment for coronary artery disease¹. FFR assesses the impact of specific coronary lesions on the flow of blood in the coronary arteries. Measurement of FFR allows physicians to identify which lesions are causing ischemia, providing valuable information that helps determine if a patient requires an interventional procedure. Studies have shown that treatment guided by FFR data results in improved clinical outcomes, including a significantly reduced risk of death or major cardiac event, and substantially lower healthcare costs^2,3.

 

HeartFlow’s Non-Invasive FFR_CT

HeartFlow’s innovative FFR_CT technology enables the non-invasive computation of Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR).  HeartFlow’s FFR_CT involves the analysis of computed tomography (CT) scan data to determine blood pressure and flow through the arteries to allow for the computation of FFR non-invasively. FFR_CT analysis requires no additional patient procedures. CT scan data and FFR_CT results are transmitted via HeartFlow’s secure web interface. Results are provided as an interactive report that can be easily interrogated to provide lesion-specific FFR_CT values.

Initial clinical data have shown a good correlation (r value of 0.73) between non-invasive FFR_CT and invasive FFR measurements³. We have a strong commitment to continued clinical research and towards supporting our novel technology with high quality data.

 

The HeartFlow Process

*Demo- Functionality not yet implemented.

1. Wijns W et al. EHJ. 2010     2. Kushner FG et al. JACC. 2009     3. Min JK et al. JACC 2011

Note: Information presented within the Invasive Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) section above relates to the invasive measurement of FFR and does not relate to current HeartFlow products.