Ability of FFR-CT to detect the absence of hemodynamically significant lesions in patients with high-risk NSTE-ACS admitted in the emergency department with chest pain, study design and rationale

Abstract Background In the era of High-sensitive troponin (hs-Tn), up to 50% of patients with a mild increase of hs-Tn will finally have a normal invasive coronary angiogram. Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) derived from coronary computed tomographic angiography (FFR-CT) has never been used as a non-invasive tool for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease in patients with high-risk acute coronary syndrome without ST segment elevation (NSTE-ACS). Aims The study aims to determine the role of coronary CT angiography and FFR-CT in the setting of high-risk NSTE-ACS. Methodology We will conduct a prospective trial, enrolling 250 patients admitted with high-risk NSTE-ACS who will rapidly undergo a coronary CT angiography and then a coronary angiography with FFR measurements. Results of coronary CT, FFR-CT and coronary angiography (± FFR) will be compared. Potential significance In conclusion, non-invasive identification of patients with high-risk NSTE-ACS who could avoid coronary angiography would reduce procedure related risks and medical costs.