Use of 4D-ICE in Conjunction With TEE for Left Atrial Appendage Closure

Overview

This is a prospective, single center, non-randomized study with two parallel arms intended to study if 4D Intracardiac echocardiography (4D-ICE) (Nuvision, Nuvera TM) will provide better visualization of the anatomical landmarks from the larger imaging volume and provide optimal intra procedural guidance similar to Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) (GE 6VT-D ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER) for Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC). The study will enroll approximately 52 subjects and will be followed through 12 months.

Standard intraprocedural guidance for transcatheter left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) employs a multi-modality integrated approach combining fluoroscopy for guiding the delivery system, and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for intracardiac characterization to guide device selection and monitor procedural complications. Successful implantation of the device is confirmed with contrast-enhanced fluoroscopy and color doppler flow imaging on TEE. TEE is the current gold standard for procedural guidance but requires general anesthesia (GA) to avoid patient motion and discomfort during the procedure. General anesthesia, however, is associated with pulmonary complications and patient discomfort due to endotracheal intubation. Intraprocedural LAAC guidance under local anesthesia or conscious sedation might help mitigate these GA-related disadvantages and has motivated multiple clinical studies, establishing intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) as a safe and feasible alternative to TEE. The new generation of NuVision ICE catheter offers a larger imaging volume of 90° x 90° with multiplanar reformatted (MPR) echo views for better visualization of anatomical landmarks and procedural guidance and aid in sizing of the device. This has a potential to improve outcomes and reduce procedure times while lowering healthcare costs. In this study, Role of NuVision Intracardiac Echocardiographic (ICE) catheter with Tranesopheal echocardiography (TEE) in predicting intra-procedural outcomes and success of implantation in patients undergoing left atrial appendage occlusion will be assessed.