Flow velocity and predictors of a suboptimal coronary flow velocity reserve after coronary balloon angioplasty

Aims This study was conducted to analyse flow velocity parameters and predictors of a suboptimal coronary flow reserve ( Methods Two hundred and twenty-five patients underwent sequential intracoronary Doppler as part of the DEBATE I study. Of these, 183, with complete angiography and Doppler at the 6-month follow-up, were included. Univariate and multivariate logistic analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of post-procedural suboptimal coronary flow reserve, defined as coronary flow reserve Results Forty-eight per cent (n=88) of the patients achieved a suboptimal coronary flow reserve. These patients had higher baseline velocities (cm.s(-1)) before balloon angioplasty (18 +/- 9 vs 14 +/- 6, P=0.004), after balloon angioplasty (22 +/- 11 vs 14 +/- 5, P Conclusion A suboptimal coronary flow reserve was associated with (1) a chronically elevated baseline average peak velocity (2) a transient deficit in the hyperaemic average peak velocity (3) the elderly, and female gender.