Intracardiac echocardiography. Do we need a new ultrasonographic window?

Intracardiac echocardiography constitutes a new ultrasonographic window for the examination of the cardiovascular system, allowing a view of the heart and great vessels through a transvenous approach. Its use in interventional procedures, such as closure of secundum atrial septal defect and patent foramen ovale, transseptal puncture and radiofrequency ablation for arrhythmias is increasing sharply. The intracardiac echocardiography systems available today are of two types: mechanical and electronic scanning systems. Both enhance the visualization of the structures and of the endocardial surface inside the cardiac chamber where they reside, allowing the exclusive possibility of interaction between interventional instruments and the anatomic structures subjected to percutaneous treatment. The evolution of this methodology for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac pathology requires the acquisition of new knowledge to ensure a correct and efficient use. The aim of this manuscript was to provide the clinical cardiologist with a complete overview on this topic.