Patients referred to the Cardiac Cath Lab will be admitted under the care of a Consultant Cardiologist, who will perform all invasive diagnostic or interventional procedures. There is no need for patients to bring referral documentation on the day of the procedure.
A Fractional Flow Reserve (Pressure Wire) test is used when there is a question of whether a stent is the most appropriate treatment for a patient.
Although a coronary artery may look narrow, blood supply to the heart may not be significantly decreased, meaning that a stent may not improve the patient outcome. This test may be performed as part of an angiogram procedure. A small pressure sensor will be introduced to the narrowed artery and a medication called adenosine will be administered. This medication will cause an increase in the heart rate and blood flow, which may feel very unpleasant, however, this lasts only a very short time (usually less than thirty seconds) and disappears as soon as the medication is stopped.
While the heart rate and blood flow are increased, a measurement can be taken, indicating whether the blood flow through the narrowed artery is sufficient to provide oxygen to the heart muscle. If so, a stent may not be necessary, and your condition may be managed using medication. If the flow is decreased significantly, a PCI (angioplasty) may be performed.