Image integration in electroanatomic mapping.

Over the past five years, integration of the pre-procedural MR/CT images with a 3D electroanatomic mapping system has been developed to facilitate catheter ablation of clinical arrhythmias. It presents a significant advantage over the less-detailed surrogate geometry created by the 3D mapping systems. The process of image integration consists of pre-procedural imaging, image segmentation and image registration. Clinical studies have demonstrated the feasibility and accuracy of the use of image integration to guide catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). Accurate registration of the 3D left atrial MR/CT image to the real-time catheter mapping space can be technically challenging. Several important considerations should be taken into account to minimize registration error. Enhanced ability of catheter navigation with image integration may improve the efficacy and safety of anatomically based ablation strategies such as ablations of AF and nonidiopathic ventricular tachycardia. New developments in the field include integration of pathophysiologic as well as real-time anatomic information to the 3D mapping systems, and the use of new navigation system to improve registration.