Interv Akut Kardiol. 2008;7(2):67-72

Role of intracardiac ultrasound in electrophysiology and interventional cardiology

Petr Peichl, Josef Kautzner

Klinika kardiologie, Institut klinické a experimentální medicíny, Praha

Intracardiac echocardiography is a novel imaging method that expands the spectrum of current echocardiographic techniques. The system uses 8F or 10F probe that is introduced into the right atrium and allows detail imaging of cardiac structures including pulse and continuous wave Doppler and/or color Doppler. In electrophysiology, the main indications for ICE are guidance of transseptal puncture and ablation of complex arrhythmogenic substrates such as atrial fibrillation, incisicional and ventricular tachycardias. Additional important role plays ICE in prevention and early detection of potential complications during the procedures. These may include formation of mobile thrombus, damage of cardiac structures by catheter manipulation or radiofrequency energy, pulmonary vein stenosis, esophagus damage and tamponade. In interventional cardiology, ICE can be used for guidance of atrial septal defect or foramen ovale patens closure or for navigation of bioptom during selective endomyocardial biopsy of intracardiac masses.

Keywords: intracardiac echocardiography, catheter ablation, atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia

Published: June 1, 2008  Show citation