Evaluation of the Opsens Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) Wire as a "Work Horse" Wire

EVALUATION OF THE OPSENS FRACTIONAL FLOW RESERVE (FFR) WIRE AS A "WORK HORSE" WIRE

INVESTIGATORS:

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: BARRY F URETSKY, MD CO-INVESTIGATOR: ABDUL HAKEEM, MD CO-INVESTIGATOR: MALEK AL-HAWWAS, MD

Introduction The use of fractional flow reserve (FFR) has improved outcomes in percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in patients with symptomatic stable coronary artery disease (CAD) with intermediate angiographic stenoses. It is a clinical tool used routinely in cardiac catheterization laboratories throughout the world including the Little Rock VA hospital. The technique utilizes a pressure transducer constructed as part of an 0.014" guidewire. The wire is passed distal to the stenosis. Under the condition of maximal hyperemia induced by a drug, typically adenosine, the pressure proximal to the stenosis, i.e. aortic pressure or Pa and the pressure distal to the stenosis, Pd, are measured. The ratio, Pd/Pa, under maximal flow or hyperemia is known as the fractional flow reserve (FFR). An FFR of <0.80 has been correlated with observed myocardial ischemia using other diagnostic methods, particularly nuclear stress and dobutamine echo stress testing. The FAME trial clearly demonstrated its value in improving long-term outcomes as compared to use of angiography alone (1). As such, the use of FFR is incorporated into both AHA ACC and European PCI guideline recommendations as part of routine care for intermediate lesions (2,3).

One of the limitations of the use of the FFR pressure wire itself is that its handling characteristics are somewhat inferior to a standard "work horse" guide wire used for PCI. A "work horse" guide wire is so defined because it can be used in most PCI cases. It combines a low tip load (to avoid intimal dissection) with excellent (ideally, one-to-one) torque transmission and trackability through tortuous lesions. There are several different work horse wires available. Although the wires may be different for different Cath Labs and operators, the wires are universally used to maximize safety, efficacy, and efficiency of PCI.