Intracardiac Echocardiography in Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: It Is Better to See What You Are Doing?

Current advanced technology allows the accurate three-dimensional reconstruction of cardiac structures using multiple images from two-dimensional intracardiac echocardiography (ICE). This technology is applicable to atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation and provides real-time anatomical information on relevant atrial structures and myocardial thickness as well as suitable sites for transseptal puncture. ICE allows radiofrequency to be delivered away from structures resistant to ablation and the monitoring of possible complications during AF ablation. Visualization of the inside of both atria during the procedure may contribute to safe and effective AF ablation. The purpose of this review was to elucidate the utility of ICE in AF ablation.