Pre-angioplasty instantaneous wave-free ratio pullback predicts hemodynamic outcome in diffuse coronary artery disease

Background: Serial stenoses or diffuse vessel narrowing hamper pressure wire–guided management of coronary stenoses. Characterization of functional relevance of individual stenoses or narrowed segments constitutes an unmet need in ischemia-driven percutaneous revascularization. Aim of the Study: To perform hemodynamic mapping of the entire vessel using pullback technique of a pressure guidewire with continuous instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) measurement compared coronary angiography aiming to minimize the procedure, decrease number and length of stents used. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 40 patients presented with diffuse coronary artery disease and undergoing elective PCI. Diagnostic coronary angiography using the routine angiographic projections was done with assessment of non-obstructive coronary lesions by 2D quantitative coronary angiography and iFR pullback measurement Results: Percentage of difference between probable sig lesions via pullback technique and No of actual sig lesions for studied group, was (59.5%). The difference was statistically highly significant p=0.0001. Conclusion: Compared with angiography alone, availability of iFR pullback data significantly decreased the number and length of hemodynamically significant lesions identified for revascularization.