INtra-procedural ultraSound Imaging During Pulmonary Veins Isolation

One of the biggest limitations of the currently used percutaneous techniques for Pulmonary Vein Isolation (PVI) in the setting of atrial fibrillation ablation is the lack of real-time information about the left atrial (LA) wall thickness and about its acute changes during energy delivery for ablation. This makes difficult to predict the achievement of transmural lesions, to identify the possible causes of ablation failure and also to avoid the occurrence of perforation and/or other collateral damage. Computed tomography (CT) is a reliable technique for measurement of the LA wall thickness but it cannot be used during the ablation procedure and its extensive use is limited by the need of ionizing radiation. Preliminary data from animal studies support the accuracy of real-time ultrasound imaging modalities such as intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) or Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) imaging for measurement of LA wall thickness and monitoring of its acute changes related to catheter ablation. The pilot study INSIDE PVs has been primarily designed to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of intravascular imaging techniques for real-time imaging of the LA wall thickness during AF ablation.