Fractional Flow Reserve Makes Inroads In Interventional Cardiology

Fractional flow reserve (FFR), a measurement of the severity of a coronary artery obstruction, has not yet reached mainstream use in the US, but that could soon change as interventional cardiologists face increased scrutiny about the “appropriateness” of their clinical treatment decisions. Part of that scrutiny will be driven by recent overstenting scandals, but cost-control measures are playing just much of a role in this shift. At the same time, ongoing advancements in FFR technology are helping to overcome barriers to use and could convince more physicians and hospitals to jump on the FFR bandwagon.