Assessment of Coronary Microcirculation During Cardiac Catheterization

Functional tests used in the catheterization laboratory have emerged as a very important adjunctive tool to coronary angiography that can identify patients with myocardial blood flow impairment. Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) measurement is highly recommended for detection of ischemia-related coronary lesion(s) when objective evidence of vessel-related ischemia is not available. Recently, the much simpler instantaneous wave free ratio (iFR) was proposed as an alternative to FFR without the requirement for administration of vasodilators. More user-friendly techniques like iFR might further contribute to value-based care in coronary interventions.