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arrow_back Conditions & Treatments

Fractional Flow Reserve

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Measuring blood flow in the heart’s coronary arteries

Expert Heart & Vascular Care

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Fractional flow reserve, also known as FFR, is a measurement of how well blood can flow through the coronary arteries. These arteries bring oxygen-rich blood to the heart to be pumped throughout the rest of the body.

Narrowing or blockages in these arteries is called coronary artery disease. This can lead to a heart attack without treatment. FFR studies help us decide the best treatment for coronary artery disease, such as:

  • Medication
  • Angioplasty
  • Stenting
  • Surgery

Our cardiac imaging program is one of the most advanced in the region, which allows us to provide leading technologies like FFR studies. We review findings from doctors throughout the region, which lets us quickly recognize rarely seen problems for the most accurate diagnosis and treatment.

What to expect from a fractional flow reserve study

We perform FFR studies during cardiac catheterization in which we use a long, flexible tube called a catheter to thread a wire up to your heart through a small incision in your groin. The wire measures blood pressure and blood flow through the artery. An FFR value that’s especially low means you’re at greater risk for a heart attack and need more immediate treatment. Higher values may mean you can be treated with medication or that you may not need treatment at all.

You’ll be given instructions on how to prepare for your test. You won’t be allowed to eat or drink for six to eight hours before it. You’ll be awake and able to follow instructions during the procedure, although you’ll receive medicine to help you relax. Afterward, you’ll need to lie still for a while to allow your medication to wear off.

Depending on how quickly you recover and whether you have any other procedures done at the same time as your FFR study, you may be able to go home the same day, or you may need to stay in the hospital overnight. You’ll need someone to drive you when it’s time to go home.

Treatments

Angioplasty

Angioplasty improves blood flow through the arteries by clearing plaque buildup.

Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Coronary artery bypass surgery, also known as coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), restores normal blood flow through narrowed or blocked coronary arteries by using a healthy blood vessel taken from your leg, arm or chest to create a detour around the problem area.

Coronary Artery Stenting

Coronary artery stents are small mesh tubes placed within the artery to prevent blockages and allow better blood flow.

Stenting

Stenting uses a mesh tube to open narrow blood vessels and improve blood flow.

Physicians

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18 Doctors & Specialists
Dr. Scott M. Katzen, MD
Dr. Scott M. Katzen, MD
Interventional Cardiology
(384)
2002 Medical Parkway Suite 500 Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 573-6480
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Dr. Robert Anthony Gallino, MD
Dr. Robert Anthony Gallino, MD
Interventional Cardiology
(478)
18101 Prince Philip Drive Suite 4100 Olney, MD 20832
(301) 570-7404
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Dr. William O'Neil Suddath, MD
Dr. William O'Neil Suddath, MD
Interventional Cardiology
7501 Surratts Road Floor 3 Clinton, MD 20735
301-877-5677
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Dr. David B. Peichert, MD
Dr. David B. Peichert, MD
Interventional Cardiology
(401)
9105 Franklin Square Drive WHITE SQUARE PROF BLDG Rosedale, MD 21237
(410) 574-1330
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Dr. Ron Waksman, MD
Dr. Ron Waksman, MD
Valvular Disease Cardiology | Structural Heart Disease Cardiology | Interventional Cardiology
110 Irving Street Northwest Suite 4B-1 Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-2812
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Dr. Nauman Siddiqi, MD
Dr. Nauman Siddiqi, MD
Valvular Disease Cardiology | Structural Heart Disease Cardiology | Interventional Cardiology
201 East University Parkway Baltimore, MD 21218
410-554-6550
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Dr. Toby Rogers, MD
Dr. Toby Rogers, MD
Valvular Disease Cardiology | Structural Heart Disease Cardiology | Interventional Cardiology
110 Irving Street Northwest Suite NW Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-5975
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Dr. Lowell F. Satler, MD
Dr. Lowell F. Satler, MD
Valvular Disease Cardiology | Structural Heart Disease Cardiology | Interventional Cardiology
110 Irving Street Northwest Suite 4B-1 Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-5975
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Dr. Malik A. Al-Omari, MD
Dr. Malik A. Al-Omari, MD
Interventional Cardiology
7501 Surratts Road Suite 304 Clinton, MD 20735
301-877-5677
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Dr. Antony George Kaliyadan, MD
Dr. Antony George Kaliyadan, MD
Valvular Disease Cardiology | Structural Heart Disease Cardiology | Interventional Cardiology
201 East University Parkway LL08 Baltimore, MD 21218
410-554-6550
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Dr. Nelson Lim Bernardo, MD
Dr. Nelson Lim Bernardo, MD
Interventional Cardiology
(119)
110 Irving Street Northwest Suite 4B-1 Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-5975
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Dr. Venkatesh K. Raman, MD
Dr. Venkatesh K. Raman, MD
Interventional Cardiology
(276)
3800 Reservoir Road Northwest 5th Floor Washington, DC 20007
(202) 444-5111
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Dr. Eric Solomon Ginsberg, MD
Dr. Eric Solomon Ginsberg, MD
Interventional Cardiology
(323)
2002 Medical Parkway Suite 500 Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 573-6480
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Dr. Srinivas Addala, MD
Dr. Srinivas Addala, MD
Interventional Cardiology
9135 Piscataway Road Suite 210 Clinton, MD 20735
(301) 868-1380
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Dr. John Chung-Yee Wang, MD
Dr. John Chung-Yee Wang, MD
Valvular Disease Cardiology | Structural Heart Disease Cardiology | Interventional Cardiology
3333 North Calvert Street Johnston Professional Building Baltimore, MD 21218
410-554-6550
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Dr. Shahid Saeed, MD
Dr. Shahid Saeed, MD
Interventional Cardiology
6830 Hospital Drive Suite 200 Baltimore, MD 21237
(410) 686-1448
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Dr. Itshac Itsik Ben-Dor, MD
Dr. Itshac Itsik Ben-Dor, MD
Valvular Disease Cardiology | Structural Heart Disease Cardiology | Interventional Cardiology
110 Irving Street Northwest Suite 4B-1 Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-5975
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Dr. Hayder Hashim, MD
Dr. Hayder Hashim, MD
Interventional Cardiology
110 Irving Street Northwest Suite 4B-1 Washington, DC 20010
202-877-5975
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