Novel Three ‐Dimensional Imaging Approach for Cryoballoon Navigation and Confirmation of Pulmonary Vein Occlusion

ConclusionsWe report a new system for real ‐time imaging of cryoballoon catheters to ensure PV apposition within the tomography of the left atrium. While providing high concordance with other imaging modalities for confirming balloon apposition or leak, the system also identified leaks missed by venography. Future studies should determine if this tool can provide a new reference for cryoballoon positioning.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reservedCryoballoon ablation is increasingly used for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), but it may be difficult to track cryoballoon position relative to the PV for complete occlusion. We describe a novel overlay guidance system (OGS) for real ‐time 3D visualization of the cryoballoon within atrial anatomy, by registering atrial computed tomography in 2 fluoroscopic planes. Phantom experiments with a custom 3D printed left atrium showed feasibility for visualizing balloon apposition within PVs. In 68 PVs in 17 patients, the OGS prospect ively identified cryoballoon position relative to PVs, and uncovered leaks undetected by venography. Future studies should test if the OGS can serve as a new reference for cryoballoon positioning.
Source: Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology : PACE - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY Source Type: research