Aims: Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) and two-dimensional transoesophageal echocardiography (2D TEE) are used in most centres for guiding transcatheter atrial septal defect (ASD) closure. ASDs have complex shapes that are not well characterized with 2D imaging. Real-time 3D TEE (RT3D TEE) provides en-face visualization of the ASD, allowing precise assessment of ASD dimensions. Accordingly, our aims were (i) to determine the feasibility of RT3D TEE to guide ASD closure and (ii) to compare ASD and balloon dimensions (BDs) using RT3D TEE vs. ICE and 2D TEE.
Methods and results: Thirteen patients with ostium secundum ASD underwent transcatheter ASD closure. 2D TEE, RT3D TEE, and ICE images were acquired sequentially. RT3D TEE was feasible in all patients. Comparing RT3D TEE and 2D imaging, the mean difference in long-axis dimension was +0.5 mm (P= NS for both), and -1.4 mm in short-axis (2D TEE, P < 0.05; ICE, P = 0.06). BD was greater with 3D TEE vs. ICE (+0.9 mm).
Conclusion: RT3D TEE can be used to guide transcatheter ASD closure with the advantages of lower cost than ICE, and ability to visualize en-face views of the ASD. ASD and BD as measured by RT3D TEE differ when compared with 2D imaging.