Value of coronary stenotic flow velocity acceleration in prediction of angiographic restenosis following balloon angioplasty.

INTRODUCTION Quantitative angiographic assessment after balloon angioplasty is a poor predictor of immediate and long-term outcome. However, the measurement of blood flow velocity during angioplasty has been proved clinically useful. AIMS To analyse the value of the maximal stenotic flow velocity and the presence of stenotic flow velocity acceleration (aSV) for the long-term outcome after balloon angioplasty. METHODS AND RESULTS Patients undergoing single lesion angioplasty within the DEBATE trial were included. aSV was defined as acceleration in the stenotic coronary flow velocity >50% baseline velocity assessed at a reference site of the target vessel. After balloon angioplasty diameter stenosis, minimal lumen diameter (MLD) and coronary flow velocity reserve were similar between the aSV (n=54) and non-aSV group (n=125). At follow-up, the aSV group had a higher restenosis rate (52% vs 30%, P=0.006) The presence of aSV was the strongest independent predictor of restenosis (OR 3.08, 95% CI 1.35 to 7.05, P=0.008). The best predictive cut-off value of SV was 101cm.s(-1) (sensitivity of 46%, specificity of 81%, positive predictive value of 85% and a negative predictive value of 58%). CONCLUSION Following angioplasty, SV appears to be exquisitely sensitive to the changes experienced at the treated area without depending on the status of the microcirculation.