title: The EchoMap System: online integration of intracoronary ultrasound and Doppler images into angiographic images during cardiac catheterization. Influence on radiation exposure and procedure parameters.
abstract: The EchoMap system allows online integration of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and intracoronary Doppler (ICD) images into angiographic images during catheterization, providing exact localization of the IVUS transducer and the ICD wire tip position. Although this is a major advance, the use of the system could lead to more angiographic documentation sequences and enhanced radiation exposure. We investigated the influence of system use on radiation and procedure parameters. During a 22-month period, 794 patients underwent coronary angiography with simultaneous performance of IVUS and/or ICD. The EchoMap system was applied in 392 patients ("EchoMap group"), the remaining 402 patients formed the "No-EchoMap group." Multivariate regression analysis showed no independent association between the use of EchoMap and fluoroscopy time (14.7 +/- 8.5 minutes in the EchoMap group vs 14.5 +/- 10 minutes in the No-EchoMap group, P = NS) or dose area product (7589 +/- 4916 in the EchoMap group vs 7031 +/- 5434 cGy x cm(2), P = NS). EchoMap use was significantly associated with a moderate increase in contrast media amount (392 +/- 162 in the EchoMap vs 356 +/- 155 mL in the No-EchoMap group, P = 0.001). In conclusion, the use of the EchoMap system had no significant influence on radiation exposure during cardiac catheterization, whereas it was associated with a moderate increase in contrast media amount.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Center of Internal Medicine, University of Essen, Essen, Germany. nikolaosdagres@yahoo.de
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dagres
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haude
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kurreck
authors.forename: Dietrich
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Baumgart
authors.forename: Raimund
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Erbel
mesh_terms: D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional