Next Generation FFR Microcatheter Technology

Abstract

Fractional flow reserve (FFR) is the mainstay of functional haemodynamic assessment of coronary artery lesions, guiding decisions in percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). The RXi® rapid exchange FFR system, featuring an ultrathin monorail pressure microcatheter (Navvus™) has the potential to simplify PCI procedures. Data from two studies sponsored by ACIST Medical Systems evaluating the clinical utility of the microcatheter system were presented at EuroPCR, which took place over 16–19 May 2017 in Paris. Early data from the FFR-Stent Evaluated at Rotterdam Cardiology Hospital (FFR-SEARCH) registry have indicated that post-PCI, almost half of patients have FFR values below 0.90 even when stent placement appears fine on angiography. This registry is noteworthy for including a high proportion of unstable patients. The Assessment of Catheter-based Interrogation and Standard Techniques for Fractional Flow Reserve measurement (ACIST-FFR) study has shown that the microcatheter system provides a modestly lower FFR value compared with the traditional pressure wire, and an independent predictor of a difference between the two is the physiological severity of the lesion as measured by the Navvus microcatheter, meaning that the clinical impact of the difference is minimal for most measurements. These findings add to the growing body of evidence in support of the microcatheter FFR system and have prompted further research into optimising procedures.