Objectives
To determine whether Xâray fused with MRI (XFM) is beneficial for select transcatheter congenital heart disease interventions.
Background
Complex transcatheter interventions often require threeâdimensional (3D) soft tissue imaging guidance. Fusion imaging with live Xâray fluoroscopy can potentially improve and simplify procedures.
Methods
Patients referred for select congenital heart disease interventions were prospectively enrolled. Cardiac MRI data was overlaid on live fluoroscopy for procedural guidance. Likert scale operator assessments of value were recorded. Fluoroscopy time, radiation exposure, contrast dose, and procedure time were compared to matched cases from our institutional experience.
Results
Fortyâsix patients were enrolled. Preâcatheterization, same day cardiac MRI findings indicated intervention should be deferred in nine patients. XFMâguided cardiac catheterization was performed in 37 (median age 8.7 years [0.5â63âyears]; median weight 28âkg [5.6â110âkg]) with the following prespecified indications: pulmonary artery (PA) stenosis (n =â13), aortic coarctation (n =â12), conduit stenosis/insufficiency (n = 9), and ventricular septal defect (n = 3). Diagnostic catheterization showed intervention was not indicated in 12 additional cases. XFMâguided intervention was performed in the remaining 25. Fluoroscopy time was shorter for XFMâguided intervention cases compared to matched controls. There was no significant difference in radiation dose area product, contrast volume, or procedure time. Operator Likert scores indicated XFM provided useful soft tissue guidance in all cases and was never misleading.
Conclusions
XFM provides operators with meaningful threeâdimensional soft tissue data and reduces fluoroscopy time in select congenital heart disease interventions.