Influence of Anatomical and Clinical Characteristics on Long-Term Prognosis of FFR-Guided Deferred Coronary Lesions

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and anatomical features to predict the long-term outcomes in patients with fractional flow reserve (FFR)–guided deferred lesions, verified by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS).BackgroundDeferral of nonsignificant lesion by FFR is associated with a low risk of clinical events. However, the impact of combined information on clinical and anatomical factors is not well known.MethodsThe study included 459 patients with 552 intermediate lesions who had deferred revascularization on the basis of a nonischemic FFR (>0.80). Grayscale IVUS was examined simultaneously. The primary endpoint was patient-oriented composite outcome (POCO) (a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, and any revascularization) during 5-year follow-up.ResultsThe rate of 5-year POCO was 9.8%. Diabetes mellitus (hazard ratio: 3.50; 95% confidence interval CI]: 1.86 to 6.57; p < 0.001), left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40% (hazard ratio: 4.80; 95% CI: 1.57 to 14.63; p = 0.006), and positive remodeling (hazard ratio: 2.04; 95% CI: 1.03 to 4.03; p = 0.041) were independent predictors for POCO. When the lesions were classified according to the presence of the adverse clinical characteristics (diabetes, left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40%) or adverse plaque characteristics (positive remodeling, plaque burden ≥70%), the risk of POCO was incrementally increased (4.3%, 13.6%, and 21.3%, respectively; p < 0.001).ConclusionsIn patients with FFR-guided deferred lesions, 5-year clinical outcomes were excellent. Lesion-related anatomical factors from intravascular imaging as well as patient-related clinical factors could provide incremental information about future clinical risks.