Fractional Flow Reserve Derived from Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography in the Assessment and Management of Stable Chest Pain: Rationale and Design of the FORECAST Trial
Highlights
- • FFRCT is a promising tool for assessment of chest pain.
- • Thus far, however, there are no randomised trial data available for FFRCT.
- • FORECAST is the first randomised trial assessing FFRCT as a strategy.
Abstract
Background
Fractional flow reserve measurement based on computed tomography (FFRCT) is a novel, well validated, non-invasive method for determining the presence and extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) combined with a physiological assessment of vessel-specific ischemia in patients with chest pain. Previous studies indicate that FFRCT reduces the uptake of invasive angiography that shows no significant CAD, without compromising patient safety. The clinical effectiveness and economic impact of using FFRCT instead of other tests in the initial evaluation of patients with stable chest pain has not been tested in a randomized trial.