Impact of fused computed tomography and fluoroscopy in the catheterization laboratory.

The development of structural interventional catheterization for acquired or congenital heart disease was made possible through concomitant advances in catheterization techniques/tools and imaging techniques (fluoroscopy, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography). Imaging should provide an accurate view of the lesions and the surrounding cardiac structures, as well as the medical devices and catheters used. Here, we address the subject of image fusion. The principle of image fusion is based on the superposition of several imaging techniques: real-time fluoroscopy and multislice imaging performed offline or ultrasound imaging performed simultaneously. The goals are to improve the overall visualization of the organ and the surrounding structures, and to help the interventional cardiologist to interpret fluoroscopy images.