Functional coronary stenosis severity assessed from the mean pressure gradient-velocity relationship obtained by contrast medium-induced submaximal hyperaemia

Aims: First, to establish the diagnostic performance of the pressure gradient at a standardised mean velocity (dPv) as derived from the cycle-averaged stenosis pressure gradient-velocity (dP-v) relationship obtained by administration of adenosine and second, to determine whether dPv can be assessed from contrast mediuminduced submaximal hyperaemia. Methods and results: Distal coronary pressure and velocity were simultaneously recorded in 64 patients during the response to intracoronary injection of adenosine. dPv was assessed at velocities between 20 and 50 cm/s. The pressure gradient at a mean flow velocity of 30 cm/s (dPv30) yielded an excellent diagnostic performance against FFR ≤0.8 (area under the curve 0.96; sensitivity 84%; specificity 96%; accuracy 89%). In a subgroup of 21 patients, measurements were repeated throughout contrast medium-induced reactive hyperaemia. Peak velocity and pressure gradient were lower compared to adenosine, but the course of the corresponding dP-v relationships coincided very well over the common velocity range, with no difference in dPv30. Conclusions: dPv30 reliably detects functionally significant coronary lesions. It derives from stenosis haemodynamics and can be obtained with submaximal hyperaemia, such as following injection of contrast medium, thereby obviating the maximal vasodilation by adenosine required for FFR or other established hyperaemic parameters of functional stenosis severity.