title: [Ultrasound in the electrophysiological cardiac catheterization laboratory].
abstract: During recent years the need for intraprocedural imaging has increased. Fluoroscopy and angiography are frequently supplemented by pre-procedural magnetic resonance or computed tomography imaging as well as electroanatomic mapping techniques. However, poor real-time imaging quality of soft tissue, radiation exposure, and contrast media consumption are disadvantageous. Ultrasound techniques are characterized by high-quality imaging of soft tissue that can be obtained in real time. All relevant anatomical structures and their relationships to catheters can be evaluated at any time during the procedure. Moreover, functional analysis, e.g., flow measurements and monitoring for complications, is possible. Transesophageal and especially intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) contribute enormously to effectiveness and safety of complex procedures. ICE has been shown to be useful in transseptal procedures like atrial fibrillation ablation but also in ablation procedures for ventricular tachycardias.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Kardiologie Herz- und Diabeteszentrum NRW, Universitätsklinik der Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Georgstr. 11, 32545, Bad Oeynhausen, Deutschland. kjgutleben@hdz-nrw.de
authors.forename: Klaus-Jürgen
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Gutleben
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nölker
authors.forename: Nikitas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lironis
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Günther
mesh_terms: D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D018780:Body Surface Potential Mapping / Q000379:methods*; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D013504:Cardiovascular Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*