title: Software-based on-site estimation of fractional flow reserve using standard coronary CT angiography data.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The significance of a coronary stenosis can be determined by measuring the fractional flow reserve (FFR) during invasive coronary angiography. Recently, methods have been developed which claim to be able to estimate FFR using image data from standard coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) exams.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the accuracy of non-invasively computed fractional flow reserve (cFFR) from CCTA.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 23 vessels in 21 patients who had undergone both CCTA and invasive angiography with FFR measurement were evaluated using a cFFR software prototype. The cFFR results were compared to the invasively obtained FFR values. Correlation was calculated using Spearman's rank correlation, and agreement using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value for significant stenosis (defined as both FFR ≤0.80 and FFR ≤0.75) were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean cFFR value for the whole group was 0.81 and the corresponding mean invFFR value was 0.84. The cFFR sensitivity for significant stenosis (FFR ≤0.80/0.75) on a per-lesion basis was 0.83/0.80, specificity was 0.76/0.89, and accuracy 0.78/0.87. The positive predictive value was 0.56/0.67 and the negative predictive value was 0.93/0.94. The Spearman rank correlation coefficient was ρ = 0.77 (P < 0.001) and ICC = 0.73 (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This particular CCTA-based cFFR software prototype allows for a rapid, non-invasive on-site evaluation of cFFR. The results are encouraging and cFFR may in the future be of help in the triage to invasive coronary angiography.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization, CMIV, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden jakob.degeer@telia.com.
authors.forename: Jakob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: De Geer
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization, CMIV, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Mårten
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sandstedt
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Region Östergötland, Linköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Björkholm
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology and Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization, CMIV, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Joakim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Alfredsson
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology and Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization, CMIV, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Magnus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Janzon
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Physiology and Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization, CMIV, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Engvall
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization, CMIV, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Persson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000072226:Computed Tomography Angiography; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D053805:Fractional Flow Reserve, Myocardial; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012984:Software
keywords: Cardiac; adults; arteries; computed tomography angiography (CTA); computer applications – detection/diagnosis; heart