Computed Tomography–Derived Fractional Flow Reserve to Improve Management of Patients with Stable Chest Pain

The ideal method for identifying stable angina patients who would benefit from invasive coronary angiography (ICA) is still unknown. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) provides excellent anatomical information regarding coronary stenosis severity but has a low specificity, resulting in unnecessary ICA. Fractional flow reserve (FFR), which measures the pressure gradient across a narrowing, can now be derived noninvasively from CTA results with computed tomography (FFR-CT). To evaluate the relative value of CTA and additional FFR-CT in determining appropriate patient management, an industry-funded study used data on 200 patients with stable chest pain who had undergone CTA.

Three experienced interventional cardiologists were first asked to …