Catheter Ablation Lesion Visualization With Intracardiac Strain Imaging in Canines and Humans

Catheter ablation is a common treatment for arrhythmia, but can fail if lesion lines are noncontiguous. Identification of gaps and nontransmural lesions can reduce the likelihood of treatment failure and recurrent arrhythmia. Intracardiac myocardial elastography (IME) is a strain imaging technique that provides visualization of the lesion line. Estimation of lesion size and gap resolution were evaluated in an open-chest canine model ( n = 3 ), and clinical feasibility was investigated in patients undergoing ablation to treat typical cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) atrial flutter ( n = 5 ). A lesion line consisting of three lesions and two gaps was generated on the canine left ventricle via epicardial ablation. One lesion was generated in one canine right ventricle. Average lesion and gap areas were measured with high agreement (33 ± 14 and 30 ± 15 mm², respectively) when compared against gross pathology (34 ± 19 and 26 ± 11 mm², respectively). Gaps as small as 11 mm² (3.6 mm on epicardial surface) were identifiable. Absolute error and relative error in estimated lesion area were 9.3 ± 8.4 mm² and 31% ± 34%; error in estimated gap area was 11 ± 9.0 mm² and 40% ± 29%. Flutter patients were imaged throughout the procedure. Strain was shown to be capable of differentiating between baseline and after ablation completion as confirmed by conduction block. In all patients, strain decreased in the CTI after ablation (mean paired difference of -17% ± 11%, ). IME could potentially become a useful ablation monitoring tool in health facilities.