Article Summary

Intracardiac Echocardiography

by The DiagnosisHeart.com Physician Team
Posted: March 1, 2003

Summary:
Essen, Germany - Researchers at the Cardiology Division, University of Essen have described the use of intracardiac echocardiography to more accurately deploy closure devices (umbrellas) for closure of patent foramen ovale or atrial septal defects.

Traditionally, transesophageal echocardiography has been used to direct closure of the atrial septal defect or patent foramen ovale. Percutaneous device closure was directed using a new technique in this study.

Although the vast majority (38/44) of procedures were for closure of patent foramen ovale, intracardiac echocardiography was able to direct the whole procedure, from balloon sizing of the defects to diagnosing the correct morphology of the defect for more accurate deployment of the occluder device. This was performed with excellent outcomes without additional risk to the patients.

Intracardiac echocardiography may one day supplant transesophageal echocardiography for the placement of interatrial septal occlusion devices.

Reference:
Intracardiac Echocardiography Is Superior to Conventional Monitoring for Guiding Device Closure of Interatrial Communications, Circulation 107:795-797

Date of Article Publication:
2003, February

Web Site: http://www.circulationaha.org