Artificial Intelligence-Driven Medipixel Fractional Flow Reserve Versus Invasive Fractional Flow Reserve-Guided PCI Trial (AIM-FFR Trial)

NCT ID: NCT07329699

Last Updated: 2026-02-12

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

2100 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2026-03-01

Study Completion Date

2029-12-31

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

The AIM-FFR trial is a prospective, multi-center, open-label, randomized controlled, non-inferiority trial. The current trial will evaluate non-inferiority of MPFFR-guided PCI, compared with invasive FFR-guided PCI in patients with coronary artery disease.

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) has been established as the gold standard for determining the functional significance of coronary artery stenosis. Current guidelines have classified FFR as a Class IA recommendation for the assessment of intermediate coronary artery lesions. However, FFR remains underused in daily clinical practice, due to requirement for pressure wire use, hyperemia induction, or prolonged procedural time.

To overcome these limitations, angiography-derived computation of FFR have been widely adopted as wire-free alternatives. These technologies enable functional assessment of coronary stenosis without pressure wires, providing a less invasive and more comfortable alternative to wire-based FFR. Multiple modalities have shown reasonable diagnostic accuracy to predict FFR≤0.80. Among them, Quantitative Flow Ratio (QFR)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) demonstrated superior clinical outcome than angiography-guided PCI. Based on these results, QFR-guided PCI is supported by class 1B recommendation from European Society of Cardiology guideline. Nevertheless, angiography-derived FFR also has limitations, primarily related to the technical and workflow demands of the process. Computation of angiography-derived FFR typically requires vessel segmentation, correspondence marking, and 3-dimensional reconstruction from angiographic images, which are time-consuming and subject to operator-dependent variability.

Indeed, recent data shows limitations of angiography-based FFR computation. Study by Ninomiya et al. evaluated five different angiography-derived FFR methods (QFR, vFFR from Pie Medical Imaging, caFFR from Rainmed Ltd, 2D-µFR, and 3D-µFR from Pulse Medical Imaging Technology). Although these angiography-derived FFR methods provided higher discrimination than angiographic stenosis severity to discriminate functionally significant stenosis defined by FFR≤0.80 or instantaneous wave-free ratio≤0.89, the AUC ranged from 0.65 to 0.75. Furthermore, recent FAVOR III Europe trial showed that QFR-guided strategy did not meet non-inferiority to FFR-guided strategy in terms of a composite of death, myocardial infarction, and unplanned revascularization at 12 months. These results support invasive FFR-guided strategy is gold standard method.

Recent advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) have led to development of automated tools for cardiovascular diagnostics, improving both accuracy and workflow efficiency. The AI-driven angiography-based FFR (Medipixel FFR \[MPFFR\]) has been developed utilizing AI-based fully automated quantitative coronary angiography (AI-QCA). MPFFR utilizes automated frame selection, AI-based contouring, and real-time modeling, allowing for rapid and accurate physiological assessment without manual segmentation. In previous validation study conducted in Korea (599 vessels from 452 patients who underwent clinically indicated FFR measurement from 5 university hospitals in Korea), Mean analysis time of MPFFR was 12.5±1.7 seconds and manual correction was needed in 32 vessels (5.3%). MPFFR showed similar diagnostic performance with QFR (correlation with FFR; MPFFR vs. QFR: R=0.885 vs. R=0.860, P for comparison=0.011; area under curve to predict FFR≤0.80; 0.949 vs. 0.953, P for comparison=0.631). At a median follow-up of 2 years (interquartile range, 1.6 to 2.6 years), patients with MPFFR≤0.80 had higher risk of target vessel failure than those with MPFFR\>0.80 (4.5% vs. 0.8%; adjusted HR, 5.94; 95% CI, 1.27-27.91; P=0.024). C-index to predict target vessel failure was comparable between MPFFR and QFR (0.770 vs. 0.753, P for comparison=0.469).

However, whether MPFFR-guided PCI can be used in daily practice still needs to be validated by randomized controlled trial using invasive FFR-guided PCI as reference standard. On this background, the current trial aims to compare clinical outcomes between MPFFR-guided PCI and invasive FFR-guided PCI in patients with coronary artery disease.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Coronary Artery Disease Chronic Coronary Syndrome Acute Coronary Syndrome

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

A prospective, multi-center, open-label, randomized controlled, non-inferiority trial.
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Outcome Assessors
Patients will be blinded to the assigned groups. Clinical events will be independently adjudicated by independent Clinical Events Adjudication Committee.

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

MPFFR-guided PCI group

In patients randomized to artificial intelligence-driven angiography-based fractional flow reserve (MPFFR)-guided PCI group, MPFFR analysis will be performed using MPFFR-1000 version 2.1.0 (Medipixel Inc., Seoul, Korea). Manual correction can be applied when necessary, however, it will be strongly discouraged by the study protocols. Treatment decisions will be made based on site-measured MPFFR value.

Functionally significant stenosis will be defined as MPFFR≤0.80. For lesions with MPFFR≤0.80, PCI will be recommended under current guidelines, however, final decision regarding PCI will be at the discretion of operators. In the MPFFR-guided PCI group, on-site MPFFR value will be used in decision making of revascularization. If PCI is not performed for lesions with MPFFR≤0.80, the specific reasons will be collected in electronic case report form. For lesions with MPFFR\>0.80, PCI will be deferred.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

MPFFR or Invasive FFR

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Functionally significant stenosis will be defined as MPFFR≤0.80 or FFR≤0.80. For lesions with MPFFR≤0.80 or FFR≤0.80, PCI will be recommended under current guidelines, however, final decision regarding PCI will be at the discretion of operators. In the MPFFR-guided PCI group, on-site MPFFR value will be used in decision making of revascularization. If PCI is not performed for lesions with MPFFR≤0.80 or FFR≤0.80, the specific reasons will be collected in electronic case report form. For lesions with MPFFR\>0.80 or FFR\>0.80, PCI will be deferred.

Invasive FFR-guided PCI group

All invasive FFR measurements will be performed after diagnostic coronary angiography according to a standardized protocol as previously described. A pressure-temperature sensor guide wire (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, CA, USA) is positioned at the distal segment of the target lesion. To induce maximal hyperemia state, intravenous infusion of adenosine (140μg/kg/min through a peripheral vein) or intracoronary injection of nicorandil (2mg) will be used. In the presence of drift greater than 0.03 FFR unit, pressure wire will be re-equalized and FFR will be measured again.

Functionally significant stenosis will be defined as FFR≤0.80. For lesions with FFR≤0.80, PCI will be recommended under current guidelines, however, final decision regarding PCI will be at the discretion of operators. If PCI is not performed for lesions with FFR≤0.80, the specific reasons will be collected in electronic case report form. For lesions with FFR\>0.80, PCI will be deferred.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

MPFFR or Invasive FFR

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Functionally significant stenosis will be defined as MPFFR≤0.80 or FFR≤0.80. For lesions with MPFFR≤0.80 or FFR≤0.80, PCI will be recommended under current guidelines, however, final decision regarding PCI will be at the discretion of operators. In the MPFFR-guided PCI group, on-site MPFFR value will be used in decision making of revascularization. If PCI is not performed for lesions with MPFFR≤0.80 or FFR≤0.80, the specific reasons will be collected in electronic case report form. For lesions with MPFFR\>0.80 or FFR\>0.80, PCI will be deferred.

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

MPFFR or Invasive FFR

Functionally significant stenosis will be defined as MPFFR≤0.80 or FFR≤0.80. For lesions with MPFFR≤0.80 or FFR≤0.80, PCI will be recommended under current guidelines, however, final decision regarding PCI will be at the discretion of operators. In the MPFFR-guided PCI group, on-site MPFFR value will be used in decision making of revascularization. If PCI is not performed for lesions with MPFFR≤0.80 or FFR≤0.80, the specific reasons will be collected in electronic case report form. For lesions with MPFFR\>0.80 or FFR\>0.80, PCI will be deferred.

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

1. Subject must be at least 19 years of age
2. Eligible for coronary angiography and/or percutaneous coronary intervention.
3. Chronic coronary syndrome or acute coronary syndrome (non-culprit vessels only)
4. Coronary artery disease in one or more native major epicardial vessels or their branches with reference vessel diameter of at least 2.5mm and with visually assessed coronary stenosis in which the physiological severity of the lesion is questionable (typically 40-90% diameter stenosis).
5. Subject who is able to understand risks, benefits and treatment alternatives and sign informed consent voluntarily.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Patients unable to provide informed consent
2. Patients with known intolerance to aspirin, P2Y12 inhibitors, or components of drug-eluting stents and drug-coated balloons
3. Patients with coronary artery bypass grafting
4. Patients who have non-cardiac co-morbid conditions with life expectancy \<1 year
5. Patients with cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest
6. Patients with severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction \<30%)
7. Patients with severe valvular heart disease requiring open heart surgery
8. Pregnant or lactating women

* Culprit vessel of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (target lesions in non-culprit vessel can be enrolled)
* Chronic total occlusion (target lesions in vessels without chronic total occlusion can be enrolled)
* Ostial stenosis in left man coronary artery or right coronary artery
* Severe tortuosity of any target vessel
* Severe overlap in the stenosed segment
* Poor image quality precluding identification of vessel contours
Minimum Eligible Age

19 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

Chonnam National University Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Seoul National University Bundang Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Chung-Ang University Gwangmyeong Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

The Catholic University of Korea

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Wonju Severance Christian Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

SMG-SNU Boramae Medical Center

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Korea University Guro Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

International St. Mary's Hospital

UNKNOWN

Sponsor Role collaborator

Kyungpook National University Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Korea University Anam Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Ajou University School of Medicine

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Changwon Patima Hospital

UNKNOWN

Sponsor Role collaborator

Bundang CHA Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Ulsan University Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Gachon University Gil Medical Center

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Inje University Haeundae Paik Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Gyeongsang National University Changwon Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Wonkwang University Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Samsung Medical Center

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

Joo Myung Lee

Associate Professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Learn about the lead researchers overseeing the trial and their institutional affiliations.

Joo Myung Lee, MD, MPH, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Samsung Medical Center

Locations

Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.

Korea University Anam Hospital

Seoul, Select State, South Korea

Site Status

Inje University Haeundae Paik Hospital

Busan, , South Korea

Site Status

Changwon Fatima Hospital

Changwon, , South Korea

Site Status

Gyeongsang National University Changwon Hospital

Changwon, , South Korea

Site Status

Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital

Daegu, , South Korea

Site Status

Kyungpook National University Hospital

Daegu, , South Korea

Site Status

Chonnam National University Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School

Gwangju, , South Korea

Site Status

Chung-Ang University Gwangmyeong Hospital

Gwangmyeong, , South Korea

Site Status

CHA Bundang Medical Center

Gyeonggi-do, , South Korea

Site Status

Wonkwang University Hospital

Iksan, , South Korea

Site Status

Inje University College of Medicine, Ilsan Paik Hospital

Ilsan, , South Korea

Site Status

Gachon University Gil Medical Center

Incheon, , South Korea

Site Status

Inha University Hospital

Incheon, , South Korea

Site Status

International St. Mary's Hospital

Incheon, , South Korea

Site Status

Presbyterian Medical Center

Jeonju, , South Korea

Site Status

Gyeongsang National University Hospital

Jinju, , South Korea

Site Status

Seoul National University Bundang Hospital

Seongnam, , South Korea

Site Status

Samsung Medical Center

Seoul, , South Korea

Site Status

Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine

Seoul, , South Korea

Site Status

Korea University Guro Hospital

Seoul, , South Korea

Site Status

Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center

Seoul, , South Korea

Site Status

Ajou University Hospital

Suwon, , South Korea

Site Status

Uijeongbu ST. Mary's Hospital

Uijeongbu-si, , South Korea

Site Status

Ulsan University Hospital

Ulsan, , South Korea

Site Status

Wonju Severance Christian Hospital

Wŏnju, , South Korea

Site Status

Countries

Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.

South Korea

Central Contacts

Reach out to these primary contacts for questions about participation or study logistics.

Joo Myung Lee, MD, MPH, PhD

Role: CONTACT

0234102575

Seung Hun Lee, MD, PhD

Role: CONTACT

821064137449

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

SMC19810222

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

More Related Trials

Additional clinical trials that may be relevant based on similarity analysis.

INSIGHTFUL-FFR Clinical Trial
NCT05437900 RECRUITING PHASE4