The Use of Intracardiac Echocardiography in Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation

Overview

Journal Curr Cardiol Rep

Publisher Current Science

Specialty Cardiology & Vascular Diseases

Date 2024 Jul 12

PMID 38995505

Authors

Vasileios Sousonis

Dimitrios Asvestas

Emmanouil Vavouris

Stavros Karanikas

Elissavet Ypsilanti

Stylianos Tzeis

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose Of The Review: Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) provides real-time, fluoroless imaging of cardiac structures, allowing optimal catheter positioning and energy delivery during ablation procedures. This review summarizes the use of ICE in catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF).

Recent Findings: Growing evidence suggests that the use of ICE improves procedural safety and facilitates radiofrequency and cryoballoon AF ablation. ICE-guided catheter ablation is associated with reduced procedural duration and fluoroscopy use. Recent studies have examined the role of ICE in guiding novel ablation techniques, such as pulsed field ablation. Finally, the use of ICE allows for early detection and timely management of potentially serious procedural complications. Intracardiac echocardiography offers significant advantages during AF ablation procedures and its use should be encouraged to improve procedural safety and efficacy.

Citing Articles

Clinical Outcomes of Intracardiac Echocardiography-Guided Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: A Retrospective Study.

Long W, He Q, Chen S, Luo X, Yang W, Zheng J Echocardiography. 2025; 42(2):e70096.

PMID: 39980442 PMC: 11843406. DOI: 10.1111/echo.70096.

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