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Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Non-fluoroscopic Catheter Tracking for Fluoroscopy Reduction in Interventional Electrophysiology
Published on: May 26, 2015
Using transthoracic two-dimensional echocardiography to guide the placement of coronary sinus catheters: a randomized
Jing-Quan Zhong1, Paul Dorian, Wei Zhang
1Cardiology Division, Qi Lu Hospital of Shan Dong University, China. zwky1668@vip.sina.com
Objective:
To assess the value of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) as an image guide in placing a coronary sinus catheter into the coronary sinus.
Methods:
Sixty consecutive patients undergoing electrophysiologic study were randomized to TTE (30 patients, "TTE group") or x-ray fluoroscopy (30 patients, "x-ray group") as an image guide to assist in the placement of a coronary sinus catheter.
Results:
The success rate of placing the coronary sinus catheter was 96.7% in TTE group and 100% in x-ray group (P > 0.05). The procedure duration was 5.8 +/- 5.7 minutes in TTE group and 5.9 +/- 3.3 minutes in x-ray group (P > 0.05), The x-ray exposure time was 0.15 +/- 0 minute in TTE group and 4.2 +/- 2.8 minutes in x-ray group (P < 0.0001).
Conclusion:
Using TTE as an image guide, coronary sinus cannulation is feasible and as rapid as standard x-ray fluoroscopy, without the radiation risk.
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