Echocardiography in Transcatheter Structural Heart Disease Interventions

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Medical Imaging
• Interventional Procedures

Background:

• Structural heart disease (SHD) interventions are expanding, requiring precise guidance.
• Percutaneous SHD procedures involve complex catheter navigation within the heart and great vessels.
• 3-dimensional imaging is critical for guiding these free-moving catheters.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the pivotal role of echocardiography in guiding percutaneous structural heart disease interventions.
• To highlight the importance of the echocardiographer's expertise in these complex procedures.

Main Methods:

• Focus on echocardiography, particularly 3D transesophageal echocardiography (TEE).
• Review of imaging guidance across the spectrum of SHD interventions.
• Emphasis on the echocardiographer's knowledge of instrumentation, anatomy, procedures, and complications.

Main Results:

• Echocardiography is essential throughout percutaneous interventions, from patient selection to device assessment.
• 3D TEE provides crucial real-time imaging for complex catheter manipulation.
• Skilled echocardiographers are indispensable for successful procedural outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Echocardiography, especially 3D TEE, is fundamental to the success of interventional structural heart disease procedures.
• The expertise of the echocardiographer is paramount for safe and effective transcatheter guidance.