Echocardiographic-fluoroscopic fusion imaging for transcatheter mitral valve repair guidance

The echocardiographic-fluoroscopic fusion imaging is a new imaging system which has recently become available, with the proposal to facilitate catheters and device navigation during catheter-based structural heart disease interventions. Several reports have described the early developments and the first clinical experiences, but literature focusing on the practical applications of fusion imaging technology to mitral valve transcatheter interventions, and on its potential advantages and current limitations, is still limited. In this review, we, therefore, describe the role of this novel imaging system during Mitraclip, Cardioband, and paravalvular leak closure interventions. The technical principles and the fluoroscopic anatomy of the interatrial septum and mitral valve are also described.