Intracoronary Physiology

1. Intracoronary Physiology Intracoronary physiology refers to the evalua?on of the func?onal status of coronary arteries the vital vessels that supply blood to the heart muscle. As coronary artery disease (CAD) remains a leading cause of death globally, precise assessment tools are essen?al for diagnosing and managing this condi?on effec?vely. In Chennai, advanced diagnos?c techniques such as Frac?onal Flow Reserve (FFR), Instantaneous Wave-Free Ra?o (IFR), and Res?ng Full-Cycle Ra?o (RFR) have transformed the way cardiologists approach heart disease. These physiologic measurements help interven?onal cardiologists go beyond tradi?onal imaging techniques like angiography, allowing them to determine whether a blockage is func?onally significant and requires interven?on.

2. What is Frac?onal Flow Reserve (FFR)? Frac?onal Flow Reserve (FFR) is a specialized diagnos?c technique used to measure pressure differences across a narrowed segment of a coronary artery. It is typically performed during a coronary angiogram using a catheter equipped with a pressure sensor. The FFR value is calculated by comparing the pressure a?er the blockage (distal pressure) with the pressure before the blockage (aor?c pressure). An FFR value of less than 0.75 typically indicates that the artery is not delivering enough blood to the heart muscle during stress, sugges?ng that the lesion is hemodynamically significant. This means the pa?ent could benefit from an interven?on such as sten?ng or bypass surgery. In Chennai, the FFR cardiology procedure is gaining popularity, especially at leading cardiac care centers like MK Heart Clinic under the exper?se of Dr. M. Kathiresan. The use of FFR helps cardiologists make informed decisions, minimizing unnecessary sten?ng and focusing on lesions that truly require treatment. What is Instantaneous Wave-Free Ra?o (IFR)? Instantaneous Wave-Free Ra?o (IFR) is another method for evalua?ng the severity of coronary artery stenoses. Unlike FFR, IFR does not require the use of medica?ons like adenosine to induce hyperemia. Instead, it measures the pressure gradient across a lesion during a specific, naturally occurring period in the cardiac cycle known as the wave-free period. IFR offers a convenient and pa?ent-friendly alterna?ve to FFR. A value less than 0.89 suggests that the stenosis is likely causing ischemia. The IFR interven?onal cardiology approach in Chennai is

3. growing in popularity due to its simplicity, cost-effec?veness, and accuracy. It is par?cularly useful in pa?ents who may not tolerate pharmacologically induced stress. What is Res?ng Full-Cycle Ra?o (RFR)? Res?ng Full-Cycle Ra?o (RFR) is a more recent addi?on to the suite of intracoronary physiological assessments. It measures the ra?o of res?ng coronary blood flow to maximum achievable blood flow without requiring medica?on to induce hyperemia. RFR provides a broader snapshot of blood flow pa?erns throughout the en?re cardiac cycle, which enhances diagnos?c accuracy. RFR in cardiology is commonly used in pa?ents with stable angina or during pre-surgical evalua?ons. In Chennai, ins?tu?ons specializing in cardiology have incorporated RFR into their rou?ne diagnos?c procedures, offering a non-invasive and highly insigh?ul method to assess coronary physiology. When is FFR Needed? FFR is par?cularly useful when a coronary angiogram reveals a narrowed artery, but it’s unclear whether the blockage is limi?ng blood flow significantly. Tradi?onal imaging alone may not accurately indicate whether a lesion is func?onally significant. That’s where FFR comes in. FFR is typically recommended in pa?ents with: Stable angina Intermediate coronary stenoses

4. Mul?ple lesions requiring priori?za?on Uncertain need for sten?ng or bypass surgery By iden?fying whether a blockage is truly impeding blood flow, the FFR cardiology procedure in Chennai ensures precise treatment tailored to the pa?ent’s needs. How is the Procedure Performed? Before undergoing an FFR, IFR, or RFR assessment, the pa?ent is evaluated for overall health, medical history, and poten?al allergies. Fas?ng may be required, and consent is obtained a?er discussing the risks and benefits. Procedure Steps: 1.A local anesthe?c is applied at the access site usually the wrist (radial artery) or groin (femoral artery). 2.A catheter is inserted and navigated to the coronary arteries. 3.For FFR, a pressure wire is advanced across the lesion, and adenosine is administered to induce stress, allowing the cardiologist to measure the pressure drop across the stenosis. 4.For IFR and RFR, measurements are taken at rest without adenosine. 5.Data is analyzed to determine if the lesion requires treatment. What to Expect During and A?er the Procedure The intracoronary physiology procedures, including FFR, IFR, and RFR, are minimally invasive. Pa?ents remain awake but sedated for

5. comfort. The process takes around 30 to 60 minutes and is usually done alongside coronary angiography. Post-Procedure: Pa?ents are monitored for a few hours. Mild soreness or bruising may occur at the access site. Normal ac?vi?es can usually be resumed within a day or two. Based on the results, your doctor may recommend medica?on, sten?ng, or further observa?on. Risks and Side Effects While generally safe, intracoronary physiology procedures do carry some risks: Bleeding or bruising at the catheter site Allergic reac?ons to contrast dye or medica?ons Arrhythmias or chest discomfort Rarely, heart a?acks or vessel injury Chennai’s top cardiology centers are equipped with advanced technology and experienced staff to minimize these risks and ensure op?mal pa?ent care.

6. Cost of FFR Procedure in Chennai The cost of an FFR cardiology procedure in Chennai typically ranges from ₹1,50,000 to ₹2,50,000. The exact pricing may vary depending on: The type of hospital (private or government) Addi?onal procedures performed Insurance coverage and benefits While the cost may seem high, it is o?en more cost-effec?ve in the long run as it helps avoid unnecessary stents or surgeries. Many insurance providers cover FFR when deemed medically necessary. Similarly, IFR and RFR procedures are priced based on the complexity and facility, and they offer equally valuable insights for diagnosis and treatment planning. Why Choose FFR, IFR, or RFR? At centers like MK Heart Clinic, these diagnos?c tools are helping redefine cardiac care. Under the leadership of renowned interven?onal cardiologist Dr. M. Kathiresan, pa?ents receive comprehensive care backed by the latest technology in intracoronary physiology. Benefits include: High diagnos?c accuracy Minimally invasive techniques Avoidance of unnecessary interven?ons Faster recovery and fewer complica?ons

7. Long-term cost savings Facili?es and Exper?se in Chennai Leading hospitals and clinics in Chennai are equipped with state-of- the-art cardiac catheteriza?on labs, pressure and flow measurement tools, and specialized staff trained in advanced diagnos?c cardiology. These facili?es ensure pa?ents receive high-quality care in a safe and comfortable environment. Conclusion Intracoronary physiology has revolu?onized the diagnosis and management of coronary artery disease. Whether through FFR, IFR, or RFR, these procedures provide invaluable insights into the actual impact of coronary blockages. In Chennai, with expert care from cardiologists like Dr. M. Kathiresan, pa?ents benefit from personalized treatment plans based on real-?me data. If you're experiencing symptoms of heart disease or have been diagnosed with coronary artery narrowing, the FFR cardiology procedure in Chennai, along with IFR and RFR assessments, could be your pathway to safer, more effec?ve cardiac care. Read Also : h?ps://drkathiresan.com/treatments/rota?onal-atherectomy- treatment-in-chennai/