CT FFR is a non-invasive gatekeeper for invasive testing. Helps in personalizing treatment and avoiding overtreatment.
What Is CT FFR?
CT FFR is an advanced, non-invasive test that combines CT Coronary Angiography (CTCA) images with computer-based modeling to estimate blood flow across coronary artery blockages. It helps determine whether a blockage is truly affecting the heart’s blood supply.
Why Is CT FFR Useful?
Many times, coronary artery plaques may appear moderate (30–90% narrowing) on CT or angiogram, but we don’t know if they are significant enough to cause chest pain or heart attacks. CT FFR helps bridge this gap by:
- Avoiding unnecessary invasive angiograms in borderline lesions
- Identifying which patients may really benefit from a procedure
How Does It Work?
- CT FFR uses advanced software to simulate how blood would flow across a narrowing, without inserting wires or catheters.
- It gives a value like 0.80 — just like the invasive FFR done during an angiogram.
- A value ≤0.80 suggests a flow-limiting lesion, whereas values above are likely safe to treat with medications.
