Live 3-dimensional echocardiography guidance for the insertion of a retrograde cardioplegic catheter through the coronary sinus.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the feasibility and accuracy of live 3-dimensional (3D) epicardial echocardiography (echo) to guide the insertion of a retrograde cardioplegic catheter into the coronary sinus.


METHODS
A real-time 3D echo system with a x4 matrix transducer was used. Live 3D echo-guided catheter insertion was compared with blind insertion. Completion times and success rates were recorded. During all experiments, the operator was blinded to the target and, in the echo-guided group, the procedure was performed with only ultrasonic guidance.


RESULTS
Live 3D echo provided sufficient spatial resolution and a satisfactory frame rate to provide a "virtual surgeon's view" of the relevant anatomy. Although there was no significant difference in completion time, live 3D echo guidance significantly improved the success rate of catheter insertion as compared to the blind group (90% versus 35%; P <.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Live 3D echo-guided coronary sinus catheter insertion is feasible and safe.
Suematsu
Yoshihiro
Y
Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada. suematsu@tf7.so-net.ne.jp
Kiaii
Bob
B
Bainbridge
Daniel
D
Novick
Richard J
RJ
D000818:Animals; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D003331:Coronary Vessels; D019560:Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D006324:Heart Arrest, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D013552:Swine