TCT 2019 | FORZA: OCT vs FFR to Define Intermediate Lesions: Anatomy or Function?

Courtesy of SBHCI. 

Both fractional flow reserve (FFR) and optimal coherence tomography (OCT) can be useful to help define intermediate coronary lesions and optimize PCI outcomes.

Highlights TCT 2019

The FORZA study presented at San Francisco TCT 2019 scientific sessions simultaneously published in JACC randomized patients with intermediate lesions 1:1 to FFR vs OCT.

For the FFR arm, PCI was performed if FFR was ≤0.8; for the OCT arm, revascularization followed only if stenosis area was ≥75% or between 50 and 75%, with minimal luminal area <2.5 mm², or plaque rupture. 

Angina (by Seattle questionnaire) major cardiac events and cost were assessed by the end of the study. Primary end point was the classic composite of MACE plus significative angina (<90 SAQ frequency scale) at 13 months. 


Read also: TCT 2019 | PARTNER 3: Health Status Outcomes From a Randomized Trial of Transcatheter vs. Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis at Low Surgical Risk.


A total 350 patients with 446 intermediate lesions were randomized to FFR (n=176) or OCT (n=174).

Primary end point of MACE plus significative angina at 13 months occurred in 14.8% of patients receiving FFR vs 8% of patients receiving OCT (p=0.048). This outcome was driven by non-significant occurrence of all primary end point components. 

By the end of follow up, the need for antianginal medication was significantly higher in the FFR group (p<0.001) though the total cost was much lower (p<0.001) compared against OCT.

Conclusion

In patients with intermediate lesions by angiography, guiding revascularization with OCT was associated with lower end point rate (composite of MACE and significant angina). FFR required more medication to control the symptoms, but the final cost was much lower. 

Courtesy of SBHCI. 

Link to the SBHCI Publication HERE

forza-tct2019

forza-art-or

Original Title: FORZA: A Randomized Trial of Fractional Flow Reserve vs. Optical Coherence Tomography to Guide Revascularization of Intermediate Coronary Stenoses.

Author of the Original Article: Francesco Burzotta.

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

Get the latest scientific articles on interventional cardiology

We are interested in your opinion. Please, leave your comments, thoughts, questions, etc., below. They will be most welcome.

More articles by this author

ACC 2026 | DKCRUSH VIII: IVUS or angiography to guide PCI in complex coronary bifurcations

Intracoronary imaging guidance has become an established recommended strategy in complex coronary lesions. In the specific setting of complex bifurcations, uncertainty remained regarding the...

ACC 2026 | OPTIMAL: IVUS Guidance in PCI of the Unprotected Left Main Coronary Artery

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is considered an equivalent alternative to coronary artery bypass surgery in patients with left main coronary artery (LMCA) stenosis and...

ACC 2026 | IVUS-CHIP Trial: Intravascular ultrasound–guided versus angiography-guided complex PCI

Optimization of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in complex lesions remains a relevant clinical challenge. In this context, the IVUS-CHIP trial was designed to evaluate...

ACC 2026 | ALL-RISE Trial: Coronary Physiological Assessment Using FFRangio

Coronary physiological assessment using pressure-wire techniques (FFR/iFR) carries a Class IA recommendation in ACC/AHA guidelines; however, its use remains limited due to factors such...

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Related Articles

SOLACI Sessionsspot_img

Recent Articles

Experience with the intra-annular self-expanding Navitor valve: data from the STS/ACC TVT registry

The expansion of TAVI, with the introduction of new-generation devices, has prioritized not only periprocedural safety, but also the preservation of coronary access, more...

Therapeutic strategies in carotid free-floating thrombus: evidence and controversies

Carotid free-floating thrombus (cFFT) is a rare entity with a high embolic risk, associated with acute neurological events such as stroke or transient ischemic...

The Two Sides of the Coin: What Do CHAMPION-AF and CLOSURE-AF Teach Us About Left Atrial Appendage Closure?

Letter to the editor: Juan Manuel Pérez Asorey Percutaneous left atrial appendage closure (LAAO) is currently going through one of the most interesting stages of...