Intra-procedural techniques: Fluoroscopy and angiography

Abstract

X-ray fluoroscopic imaging of the heart is the standard to which all other imaging modalities are currently compared to, and no electrophysiology laboratory is designed without an X-ray system. Even though magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is being used by more laboratories for pre-procedural imaging and is being developed for use as a real-time imaging modality to allow interventional procedures to be carried out within the MR environment, all such systems in use today incorporate an X-ray system (XMR). The pre-eminence of fluoroscopy above imaging modalities is due to a number of factors. Fluoroscopic systems are easy to use, provide real-time information, catheters are easily visualized, electrical interference with recording systems is minimal and virtually no time is required to set up the system