Multimodality Imaging for Interventional Cardiology

Abstract

Background: In the last decades, interventional cardiology has received fast and wide implementation as an effective alternative treatment to surgery for several congenital and acquired diseases. In this scenario, imaging provides solutions for most clinical needs, from diagnosis to prognosis and risk stratification, as well as anatomical and functional assessment.

Methods: In this review article, we present recent innovations in medical imaging for structural heart disease and coronary artery disease, emphasizing the progress achieved in the field of multimodality imaging and the solutions proposed to some as-yet unresolved technical problems for safe and effective procedural performance.

Results: Intra-procedural guidance can be facilitated by established multimodality cardiac imaging such as transesophageal 2D and 3D echocardiography and by novel techniques as echo-fluoroscopy overlay and 3D modeling/printing. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are particularly helpful for preprocedural morphology assessment and device sizing.

Conclusion: Successful planning, performance, and aftercare of interventions depend heavily on accurate imaging for both structural heart disease and coronary artery disease.

Keywords: 3D echocardiography.; Cardiovascular diseases; cardiovascular imaging; coronary artery disease; interventional planning.