The contribution of intracardiac echocardiography in catheter ablation of ventricular arrhythmias

Abstract

Catheter ablation is a well-established treatment option for patients with ventricular arrhythmias. Recent advances in various imaging modalities, including three-dimensional electroanatomic mapping systems, magnetic resonance imaging, transesophageal and intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) have been adopted in catheter ablation of ventricular arrhythmias improving procedural outcome and safety. ICE is an imaging tool which provides real-time visualization of anatomical structures of the heart, facilitating catheter manipulation and navigation during ablation procedures. In this review we aim to highlight the benefits of ICE use in catheter ablation of ventricular arrhythmias and to describe practical techniques for visualization of cardiac structures with ICE during ventricular tachycardia ablations.

Keywords

• intracardiac echocardiography
• ice
• ventricular arrhythmias
• ventricular tachycardia
• imaging
• catheter ablation