Analytically Computed Fractional Flow Reserve based on Coronary CT Angiography

Abstract

Invasively determined Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) has been recognized as a reliable tool for assessing coronary artery stenosis severity. Since the invasive method is associated with a risk of vessel injury due to pressure wire manipulation several non-invasive techniques have been developed. The objective of this paper is to propose an alternative, much less timeconsuming, analytical solution based on Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) images and the overall pressure drop calculation across the stenosis in the coronary artery. The results obtained using this method are validated by comparing them with the clinical data for patients who underwent invasive coronary angiography as well as with the results obtained by using CFD simulation. FFR determined using the analytical method compared with the clinical and CFD ones differs by 4.5% and 3.9% respectively. This confirms that the analytically determined FFR can be reliable for the physiological assessment of coronary artery stenosis.