Three‐Dimensional Echocardiography in the Electrophysiology Laboratory

Abstract

The use of three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) during electrophysiology (EP) procedures is the end product of years of growth in two diverse cardiology subspecialties; namely, advanced cardiac imaging and the EP. During the past decade, progress in both fields has resulted in many important advances that have culminated in their union for a new area of growth and development. Imaging advances have provided the cardiovascular specialist with enhanced cardiac volume and function data, and more recently, 3DE capabilities with improved spatial and temporal resolution providing unprecedented spatial relationships. This latter development is valued by EP specialists in need of hitherto never required anatomic knowledge as they press forward with extraordinary expansion in their capabilities. It makes sense that by combining these two rapidly growing subspecialties, future capabilities in patient care may be achieved that would otherwise not be possible. This paper discusses the value of 3DE during EP procedures and offers the readers insight into this novel multispecialty hybrid arena. Using this model as a template, it is likely that the readers may identify other areas within their practices where periprocedural advanced imaging may afford significant dividends in patient outcomes.

Diagnostic usefulness of quantitative tissue velocity imaging and anatomic M-mode echocardiography for coronary artery diseases: A pilot study

“…The main finding of this study was that mean values of systolic myocardial velocity and ventricular wall‐thickening fraction in the basal and mid segment were greater in the control than in the CAD group. From apical four‐chamber views, our results suggest that the index of systolic myocardial velocity of QTVI allows the quantitative assessment of ventricular wall motion . To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study comparing QTVI and AMM from multiple left ventricle segments for CAD diagnosis.…”

“…From apical fourchamber views, our results suggest that the index of systolic myocardial velocity of QTVI allows the quantitative assessment of ventricular wall motion. 9 To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study comparing QTVI and AMM from multiple left ventricle segments for CAD diagnosis. Their differences and complementarity could be considered a basis to develop a diagnostic strategy associating QTVI and AMM.…”

Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation: Three-dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography Provides an Excellent Overview over the Pulmonary Vein Anatomy Facilitating Radiofrequency and Cryoablation Procedures

“…Therefore, we have evaluated the usefulness of three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography for assessing the left atrial anatomy prior to catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (either by radiofrequency catheter ablation or by cryoablation). There is only few data about the usefulness of 3D transesophageal echocardiography in the electrophysiology laboratory [25,27] and no sufficient data concerning 3D TEE for preprocedural imaging prior to catheter abklation of AF.…”