FFR คืออะไร? ทำไมการวัดความดันหลอดเลือดหัวใจถึงสำคัญต่อการรักษาโรคหัวใจ

FFR (Fractional Flow Reserve) is a measurement of the pressure difference within the coronary arteries to precisely assess the severity of coronary artery stenosis. The FFR test plays an important role in deciding whether a patient should be treated with balloon angioplasty (Balloon Angioplasty) or stent placement (Stent) or not 
&nbsp;
The FFR test is performed together with coronary angiography (Coronary Angiography) by inserting a small pressure wire (Pressure Wire) through the blood vessel to the site of stenosis to measure and compare blood pressure before and after the narrowed segment 
&nbsp;
<h2>Why is FFR testing important? </h2>
Although coronary angiography can visualize narrowed arteries, sometimes the degree of stenosis seen on the image does not correlate with the severity of symptoms. The FFR test helps answer important questions such as 
<ul>
<li>Whether the narrowed site requires treatment with angioplasty </li>
<li>Whether medication alone is sufficient </li>
<li>Reducing the risk of unnecessary treatments, such as stent placement when the artery is not significantly narrowed </li>
</ul>
The normal value of FFR is 1.0. If the measurement is below 0.80, it indicates significant stenosis affecting blood flow and further treatment should be considered 
&nbsp;
<h2>FFR Testing Procedure </h2>
<ol>
<li>Start with coronary angiography to visualize the arteries </li>
<li>Insert a pressure wire (Pressure Wire) to the coronary artery at the site of narrowing </li>
<li>Administer medication to induce maximal blood flow, such as Adenosine </li>
<li>Measure blood pressure before and after the narrowed segment </li>
<li>Calculate the FFR value to assess whether treatment is necessary </li>
</ol>
The FFR test takes a short time, and patients can return to normal activities after the procedure 
&nbsp;
<h2>Advantages of FFR </h2>
<ul>
<li>Increases accuracy in treatment decision-making </li>
<li>Reduces unnecessary stent placement, lowering the risk from antithrombotic drugs </li>
<li>Helps reduce the chance of long-term complications </li>
<li>Proven to reduce rates of heart attacks and mortality </li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<h2>Who should get an FFR test? </h2>
<ul>
<li>Patients with moderate coronary artery stenosis (50-70%) who need evaluation for stent placement </li>
<li>Patients with chest pain but inconclusive coronary angiography results </li>
<li>Patients planning coronary angioplasty who want precise assessment of necessity </li>
</ul>
 
<h2>Differences between FFR and other coronary artery tests </h2>
<table style="font-weight: 400" data-tablestyle="MsoNormalTable" data-tablelook="1184">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center" data-celllook="4369">Method </td>
<td style="text-align: center" data-celllook="4369">Advantages </td>
<td style="text-align: center" data-celllook="4369">Limitations </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-celllook="4369">Coronary Angiography (Angiography) </td>
<td style="text-align: left" data-celllook="4369">Real-time visualization of blood vessels 
 </td>
<td style="text-align: left" data-celllook="4369">Cannot clearly assess the impact on blood flow </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-celllook="4369">FFR (Fractional Flow Reserve) </td>
<td style="text-align: left" data-celllook="4369">Accurately assesses the actual impact on blood flow </td>
<td style="text-align: left" data-celllook="4369">Requires medication and special pressure wire </td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
&nbsp;
Measuring coronary artery pressure increases the accuracy of diagnosing coronary artery disease, reduces unnecessary treatments, and significantly improves patient care efficiency
&nbsp;
If you or your loved ones have coronary artery problems, discussing FFR testing with a specialist is another option to help plan the best treatment 
 
&nbsp;
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kulyos Jongpipatvanich
Cardiologist and Interventional Cardiologist
Heart Center, Phyathai 2 Hospital

Accurate coronary artery pressure measurement method helps make correct decisions for treating coronary artery stenosis.

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What is FFR? Why is measuring coronary artery pressure important for heart disease treatment?

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