June 26, 2026Journal of the American College of Cardiology
Intracardiac phased-array imaging: methods and initial clinical experience with high resolution, under blood visualization
Key result
A 10F intracardiac phased-array catheter proves feasible for visualizing cardiac targets at ~9 cm average depth.
- n=24
Why the study?
Intracardiac echocardiographic imaging during EP procedures has been limited by inadequate penetration and lack of Doppler hemodynamic information from rotating mechanical ultrasound elements.
Does a 10F phased-array intracardiac imaging catheter provide feasible high-resolution imaging of cardiac structures in patients undergoing EP studies?
Population
24 patients undergoing EP studies
Design
Feasibility study
Authors
Discussion
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Member takes
Implication
Intracardiac phased-array imaging appears feasible in EP procedures; leaves open clinical utility and outcomes impact pending larger trials.
Key Points
- The study aims to evaluate the feasibility of high-resolution phased-array intracardiac imaging during electrophysiologic procedures.
- Applied a 10F phased-array imaging catheter in 24 patients undergoing electrophysiologic studies.
- Employed variable frequencies of 5.5 to 10 MHz for imaging.
- Targeted sixteen specific cardiac areas from a right heart venue.
- Fifteen patients had no organic heart disease; nine had various heart disorders.
- Imaging effectively visualized valves, chambers, and significant anatomical structures at an average target depth of 8.8 cm.
- Utilized color flow and Doppler to characterize transaortic and pulmonic valve blood flow.
Structured PICO
Does a 10F phased-array intracardiac imaging catheter provide feasible high-resolution imaging of cardiac structures in patients undergoing EP studies?
P
Population
24 patients undergoing electrophysiologic studies, including 15 with no underlying organic heart disease and 9 with structural heart disorders.
I
Intervention
10F (3.2 mm) phased-array, variable 5.5 to 10 MHz frequency imaging catheter with a four-way deflectable tip applied from a right heart venue
O
Outcome
Feasibility of imaging 16 prespecified cardiac targets from a right heart venuesurrogate
Initial human studies demonstrate the feasibility and utility of a 10F phased-array intracardiac catheter for high-resolution global cardiac imaging and Doppler flow characterization.
Cite This Study
Packer et al. (2002) studied Patients undergoing electrophysiologic studies (n=24). 10F phased-array intracardiac imaging catheter was evaluated on Feasibility of high-resolution phased-array intracardiac imaging of 16 prespecified cardiac targets. Intracardiac phased-array imaging using a 10F catheter was feasible in 24 patients, successfully visualizing prespecified cardiac targets at an average depth of 8.8 cm.