How to Use FFR Intas to Measure the Blood Flow in Your Coronary Arteries

FFR Intas is a medical device that measures the fractional flow reserve (FFR) of your coronary arteries, which is the ratio of the blood pressure and flow in a narrowed artery to the normal blood pressure and flow in a healthy artery. FFR Intas can help diagnose and treat coronary artery disease (CAD), which is a condition where the arteries that supply blood to your heart become narrowed or blocked by plaque.

What is FFR Intas?

FFR Intas is a device that was launched in 2019, by Intas Pharmaceuticals, a leading global pharmaceutical company based in India. FFR Intas is a pressure wire system that consists of a thin wire with a sensor at the tip, a monitor, and a console.

FFR Intas is used to measure the FFR of your coronary arteries, by inserting the wire through a catheter into your artery, and advancing it to the site of the narrowing or blockage. The sensor then measures the blood pressure and flow before and after the lesion, and sends the data to the monitor, which calculates and displays the FFR value. The console allows the doctor to control the wire and the monitor, and to record and store the data.

How to Prepare for FFR Intas?

To prepare for FFR Intas, you need to follow these steps:

• Consult your doctor about your medical history, medications, allergies, and any questions or concerns you may have about the procedure.
• Follow your doctor’s instructions on how to fast, hydrate, and take your medications before the procedure.
• Arrive at the hospital or clinic on time, and bring your identification, insurance, and any other documents or items you may need.
• Sign the consent form, and change into a hospital gown and cap.
• Lie down on a table, and have an intravenous (IV) line inserted into your arm, to deliver fluids and medications.
• Have electrodes attached to your chest, to monitor your heart rate and rhythm.
• Have a local anesthetic applied to your groin or wrist, to numb the area where the catheter will be inserted.

How to Perform FFR Intas?

To perform FFR Intas, you need to follow these steps:

• Have your doctor insert a catheter into your artery, through a small incision in your groin or wrist.
• Have your doctor guide the catheter to your heart, using an X-ray machine and a contrast dye.
• Have your doctor insert the FFR Intas wire through the catheter, and advance it to the site of the narrowing or blockage in your artery.
• Have your doctor measure the blood pressure and flow before and after the lesion, using the FFR Intas sensor and monitor.
• Have your doctor calculate and display the FFR value, using the FFR Intas monitor and console.
• Have your doctor interpret the FFR value, and decide whether you need an angioplasty or stent, or whether you can be treated with medications alone.
• Have your doctor remove the FFR Intas wire and the catheter, and apply pressure and a bandage to the incision site.

How to Recover from FFR Intas?

To recover from FFR Intas, you need to follow these steps:

• Stay in the hospital or clinic for a few hours, or overnight, depending on your condition and your doctor’s advice.
• Have your vital signs, such as blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen level, checked regularly by the medical staff.
• Have your incision site, such as your groin or wrist, checked for any bleeding, swelling, or infection.
• Have your medications, such as painkillers, blood thinners, or antiplatelets, prescribed and administered by your doctor or nurse.
• Have your FFR results, such as the FFR value, the diagnosis, and the treatment plan, explained and discussed by your doctor.
• Follow your doctor’s instructions on how to care for your incision site, how to resume your activities, and how to take your medications.
• Arrange for someone to drive you home, and to help you with your daily tasks for a few days.

How to Benefit from FFR Intas?

FFR Intas has many benefits for you, such as:

• It can help diagnose and treat CAD, which can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, heart attack, or stroke.
• It can help determine the severity and location of the narrowing or blockage in your artery, and whether it affects the blood flow to your heart.
• It can help decide the best treatment option for you, whether it is an angioplasty or stent, or medications alone.
• It can help reduce the risk of complications, such as restenosis, bleeding, infection, or allergic reaction, from unnecessary or inappropriate procedures.
• It can help improve your quality of life, by relieving your symptoms, enhancing your heart function, and preventing further damage to your heart.

How to Limit the Drawbacks of FFR Intas?

FFR Intas also has some drawbacks that you should be aware of, such as:

• It is an invasive and expensive procedure, that requires a catheterization and a hospital stay.
• It may not be available or accessible in some regions or countries, due to the lack of equipment or expertise.
• It may not be accurate or reliable in some cases, due to the variability or interference of the blood pressure and flow measurements.
• It may not be safe or suitable for some patients, due to the contraindications or complications of the procedure, such as allergy, infection, bleeding, or arrhythmia.

To limit the drawbacks of FFR Intas, you can follow these tips:

• Consult your doctor about the risks and benefits of FFR Intas, and compare it with other alternatives, such as angiography, stress test, or CT scan.
• Choose a reputable and experienced doctor and hospital, that have the necessary equipment and expertise to perform FFR Intas.
• Follow the pre- and post-procedure instructions, and report any problems or issues to your doctor or nurse.
• Seek a second opinion, if you are not satisfied or confident with the FFR results or the treatment plan.

Conclusion

FFR Intas is a device that measures the fractional flow reserve of your coronary arteries, which is the ratio of the blood pressure and flow in a narrowed artery to the normal blood pressure and flow in a healthy artery. FFR Intas can help diagnose and treat coronary artery disease, which is a condition where the arteries that supply blood to your heart become narrowed or blocked by plaque. However, you should also be aware of the benefits and limitations of FFR Intas, and follow the steps and tips to use it effectively and safely.