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.