Practice and potential pitfalls of coronary pressure measurement

Guidewire-based coronary pressure measurement has emerged over the last yea rs as a promising approach in the invasive assessment of coronary artery di sease. It enables calculation of fractional flow reserve (FFR) which closel y relates distal coronary pressure to myocardial blood flow during maximal arteriolar vasodilation. Coronary pressure measurement and FFR provide impo rtant information, both for decision making in diagnostic angiography and f or monitoring and evaluating coronary interventions. In this review, the pr actical set-up of coronary pressure measurement in the catheterization labo ratory is discussed step-by-step, special attention is given to potential p itfalls and how to avoid them, and the interpretation of coronary pressure measurement in a variety of pathologic conditions is clarified. (C) 2000 Wi ley-Liss, Inc.