Introduction
Standard two-dimensional (2D), phased-array intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) is routinely used to guide interventional electrophysiology (EP) procedures. ICE is increasingly used during EP procedures to guide transseptal catheterization, evaluate the position of ablation catheters, assess for occlusion of the pulmonary vein (PV) during cryoballoon ablation (CBA) procedures, and to exclude complications such as a pericardial effusion or thrombus formation1-3. Intracardiac echocardiography is also used to guide left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) procedures with the ICE catheter placed in the left atrium (LA) as an alternative to transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to avoid the need for general anesthesia.4-5
Using technology similar to what is currently available on a three-dimensional (3D) transthoracic or TEE probe, a novel ICE catheter has been developed that is capable of additional 3D volumetric ultrasound imaging with color doppler imaging in real-time (4D). The purpose of this study was to determine the early feasibility and safety of this novel 4D ICE catheter during EP procedures.