Quantitative flow ratio-guided strategy versus angiography-guided strategy for percutaneous coronary intervention: Rationale and design of the FAVOR III China trial. American heart journal Song, L., Tu, S., Sun, Z., Wang, Y., Ding, D., Guan, C., Xie, L., Escaned, J., Fearon, W. F., Kirtane, A. J., Serruys, P. W., Wijns, W., Windecker, S., Leon, M. B., Stone, G. W., Qiao, S., Xu, B., FAVOR III China Investigators 2020; 223: 72–80

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Quantitative flow ratio (QFR) is a novel angiography-based approach enabling fast computation of fractional flow reserve without use of pressure wire or adenosine. The objective of this investigator-initiated, multicenter, patient- and clinical assessor-blinded randomized trial is to evaluate the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a QFR-augmented angiography-guided (QFR-guided) strategy versus an angiography-only guided (angiography-guided) strategy for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with coronary artery disease.METHODS: Approximately 3,830 patients will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to a QFR-guided or an angiography-guided strategy. Included subjects scheduled for coronary angiography have at least 1 lesion eligible for PCI with 50%-90% stenosis in an artery with =2.5 mm reference diameter. Subjects assigned to the QFR-guided strategy will have QFR measured in each interrogated vessel and undergo PCI when QFR =0.80, with deferral for lesions with QFR >0.80. Those assigned to the angiography-guided strategy will undergo PCI based on angiography. Optimal medical therapy will be administered to all treated and deferred patients. The primary end point is the 1-year rate of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), a composite of all-cause mortality, any myocardial infarction, or any ischemia-driven revascularization. The major secondary end point is 1-year MACE excluding periprocedural myocardial infarction. Other secondary end points include the individual components of MACE and cost-effectiveness end points. The sample size affords 85% power to demonstrate superiority of QFR guidance compared with angiography guidance.CONCLUSIONS: The FAVOR III China study will be the first randomized trial to examine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a QFR-guided versus an angiography-guided PCI strategy in coronary artery disease patients.

View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ahj.2020.02.015

View details for PubMedID 32179258