Quantification of Myocardial Mass Subtended by a Coronary Stenosis Using Intracoronary Physiology

Background: In patients with stable coronary artery disease, the amount of myocardium subtended by coronary stenoses constitutes a major determinant of prognosis, as well as of the benefit of coronary revascularization. We devised a novel method to estimate partial myocardial mass (PMM; ie, the amount of myocardium subtended by a stenosis) during physiological stenosis interrogation. Subsequently, we validated the index against equivalent PMM values derived from applying the Voronoi algorithm on coronary computed tomography angiography. Methods: Based on the myocardial metabolic demand and blood supply, PMM was calculated as follows: PMM (g)=APV×D²×π/(1.24×10^-3×HR×sBP+1.6), where APV indicates average peak blood flow velocity; D, vessel diameter; HR, heart rate; and sBP, systolic blood pressure. We calculated PMM to 43 coronary vessels (32 patients) interrogated with pressure and Doppler guidewires, and compared it with computed tomography-based PMM. Results: Median PMM was 15.8 g (Q1, Q3: 11.7, 28.4 g) for physiology-based PMM, and 17.0 g (Q1, Q3: 12.5, 25.9 g) for computed tomography-based PMM (P=0.84). Spearman rank correlation coefficient was 0.916 (P<0.001), and Passing-Bablok analysis revealed absence of both constant and proportional differences (coefficient A:-0.9; 95% CI,-4.5 to 0.9; and coefficient B, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.91 to 1.25]. Bland-Altman analysis documented a mean bias of 0.5 g (limit of agreement:-9.1 to 10.2 g). Conclusions: Physiology-based calculation of PMM in the catheterization laboratory is feasible and can be accurately performed as part of functional stenosis assessment.