FFR stands for Fractional Flow Reserve.
FFR is a measurement used in cardiology to assess the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). It helps determine whether a narrowed coronary artery is causing significant blockage and needs treatment.
During an FFR procedure, a thin catheter is inserted into the coronary artery. This catheter has a pressure sensor at its tip, which measures the pressure in the artery at rest and during maximum blood flow.
The FFR is calculated as the ratio of pressure in the narrowed artery during maximum blood flow to the pressure in the normal artery.
An FFR value of less than 0.80 indicates a significant blockage, meaning that the coronary artery is not supplying enough blood to the heart muscle.
FFR helps guide treatment decisions for patients with CAD. If the FFR is low, it might indicate the need for a procedure like angioplasty or bypass surgery to improve blood flow to the heart.
