Usefulness of echocardiographic-fluoroscopic fusion imaging in adult structural heart disease

Arch Cardiovasc Dis. 2018 Jun-Jul;111(6-7):441-448. doi: 10.1016/j.acvd.2018.02.001. Epub 2018 Mar 11.

Abstract

Percutaneous approaches to treat structural heart diseases are growing in number and complexity. Multimodality imaging is essential for planning and monitoring such interventions. The combination of three-dimensional transoesophageal echocardiography with fluoroscopy is the cornerstone of interventional imaging. However, these two modalities are displayed on separate screens, and are handled by different physicians, which requires a complex mental reconstruction for the interventional team. To overcome this issue, echocardiographic-fluoroscopic fusion imaging has been introduced recently in clinical practice. This system combines, in a single view, the precise visualization of catheter and devices provided by fluoroscopy with the continuous soft tissue information provided by echocardiography. In addition, the procedure may be guided using a marker-tracking mode. However, there are few data on how this new technology can have an impact on our routine clinical practice and patient outcomes. In this review, we provide a user manual for the system, discuss its potential clinical applications in adult structural heart diseases and consider future perspectives.

Keywords: Cardiopathies structurelles; EchoNavigator(®); Echocardiography; Fluoroscopie; Fluoroscopy; Fusion imaging; Imagerie de fusion; Intervention; Structural heart diseases; Échocardiographie.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cardiac Catheterization / instrumentation
  • Cardiac Catheterization / methods*
  • Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional*
  • Echocardiography, Transesophageal*
  • Fluoroscopy
  • Heart Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Heart Diseases / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted
  • Multimodal Imaging / methods*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Punctures
  • Radiography, Interventional / methods*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ultrasonography, Interventional / methods*