In a groundbreaking study published on March 31, 2025, in the prestigious medical journal The Lancet, a team from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine and Seoul National University Hospital introduced a promising alternative to treating coronary artery disease, one of the world’s leading causes of heart disease. The study, known as FLAVOUR II, offers fresh insights into improving the way doctors make treatment decisions for patients with coronary artery disease, potentially transforming clinical practice.

Led by cardiologists WANG Jian’an and HU Xinyang, the study compared two different methods for treatment in patients with significant coronary artery stenosis: the  invasive intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and a revolutionary, imaging-based physiologic assessment called AngioFFR.

Coronary artery disease occurs when the arteries supplying blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked, often due to plaque buildup. This can lead to dangerous conditions like chest pain (angina) or even heart attacks. For years, doctors have relied on fractional flow reserve (FFR) to assess how well blood flows through the coronary arteries. While FFR is widely used, it requires invasive procedures, including the insertion of guidewires and medication to dilate blood vessels.

AngioFFR, in contrast, entails only standard coronary angiography — essentially a specialized X-ray of the blood vessels. The FLAVOUR II study revealed that for patients with non-complex coronary artery disease, PCI (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention) guided by AngioFFR was not only as safe and effective as intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), but it also had the added benefit of reducing the need for stent implantations — metal mesh tubes used to keep arteries open.

This non-invasive method represents a win-win situation for doctors and patients alike. It simplifies decision-making in coronary interventions, providing a safer and more efficient way to assess coronary artery stenosis without the need for complex, invasive procedures. With fewer risks involved, patients can benefit from more personalized, effective treatments with less recovery time.

The FLAVOUR research team isn’t stopping here. A new trial, FLAVOUR III, is underway to explore whether combining AngioFFR with IVUS could further optimize outcomes for patients with coronary artery disease.

With previous studies featured in The New England Journal of Medicine and now The Lancet, the FLAVOUR series of studies continues to shed light on the future of heart disease treatment, offering new hope for millions of people with coronary artery disease worldwide.