Pd/Pa vs iFR™ in an Unselected Population Referred for Invasive Angiography

Instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR™) is a novel non-hyperaemic index of the functional significance of a coronary stenosis. Previous studies have shown variable levels of correlation with the established hyperaemic index FFR. In addition it has been proposed that iFR™ has superior diagnostic accuracy when compared to mean whole cardiac cycle Pd/Pa which can also be used to predict FFR. We plan to undertake a prospective clinical study in consecutive patients already undergoing FFR assessment in the cardiac catheterisation laboratory to compare the ability of iFR™ and Pd/Pa (both measured using the proprietary Volcano system) to predict FFR. We will explore the level of misclassification of flow limiting disease that results from use of iFR™ and resting Pd/Pa employed using either binary cut-off algorithms or in a hybrid decision making protocol. We plan to analyse 260 vessels over a 18 month period. Hyperaemia will be induced by intravenous adenosine (140 ug/kg/min) administered wherever possible via an antecubital vein. Intra-coronary nitrates will also be given in line with the standard care procedure for FFR measurement. Final clinical decisions following coronary physiology will be based on steady state FFR.