What does FFR mean in PHYSICS

The purpose of FFR is to measure blood flow through a coronary artery and assess the degree of narrowing or blockage in that artery. This information can help doctors decide whether medical intervention or revascularization procedures such as stenting are necessary.

During an FFR procedure, a catheter with a pressure sensor at its tip is inserted into a coronary artery. The catheter pumps small amounts of dye though the artery. It then measures blood pressure levels both before and after it has been injected, giving doctors an accurate measurement of the amount of resistance inside the vessel due to blockage or narrowing.

An FFR test may be recommended for patients who have stable angina, previous revascularization (stenting), or abnormal tests such as stress tests that suggest reduced blood flow in their coronary arteries. Additionally, certain patients may be candidates for an additional invasive cardiology procedure based on their results from their initial evaluation and non-invasive testing such as nuclear imaging, echocardiography, etc.

Potential risks related to having an FFR test include bleeding, bruising, infection and allergic reactions to any medications or dyes used during the procedure. It's also possible that the dye might cause kidney damage if left in your system too long. In addition, there's always potential risk associated with any invasive procedure including cardiac arrest, stroke and heart attack.

In addition to being used for diagnosing narrowed vessels, fractional flow reserve may also be used as a way to assess how well stents are working after they are placed. By measuring how much pressure is being relieved by the stent compared to what it was previously before insertion, doctors can get an idea if it needs adjustment for improved functioning.