OBJECTIVETo evaluate the long-term clinical outcomes of fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided versus intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for intermediate coronary lesions.

METHODSA total of 226 patients with 293 intermediate coronary artery lesions (stenosis of 40%-70%) confirmed by coronary angiography were randomized into 3 groups to undergo PCI for a minimal lumen cross sectional area (MLA)<4 mm(2) (IVUS group, 98 lesions) or for a FFR<0.80 (FFR group, 101 lesions), or to receive standard medical treatment (medication group, 94 lesions). The primary outcome was major adverse cardiac events including death, myocardial infarction, and ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization at 1 year after the index procedure.

RESULTSThe baseline percent diameter stenosis and lesion length were similar between the 3 groups, but more patients in IVUS group than in FFR group received PCI (P<0.001). No significant difference was found in the incidence of major adverse cardiac events between the 3 groups (P=0.182).

CONCLUSIONBoth FFR- and IVUS-guided PCI strategy for intermediate coronary artery disease are associated with favorable outcomes, but IVUS-guided PCI based on the single index of MLA can increase the rate of revascularization therapy.