Cavotricuspid Isthmus Ablation Guided by Real-Time Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has evolved as a standard cardiac imaging technique. Interventional procedures guided by real-time MRI may derive potential benefit from a fluoroscopy-free working environment, more detailed insights into the target anatomy, and additional information on organ tissue properties relevant for pathomorphology as well as therapy delivery. Electrophysiological (EP) procedures in a magnetic resonance (MR) scanner require new workflows with different, MR safe, interventional materials and hardware setup, different approaches to intracardiac orientation and catheter tracking, and an adapted patient management. Recently, invasive diagnostic EP procedures have been described in animal studies and in a clinical setting. Actual catheter ablation has so far only been reported in a limited number of animal series. © 2013 American Heart Association, Inc.