Validation of an intracardiac ultrasonic therapy–imaging dual mode transducer

Atrial fibrillation is associated with increased risk of stroke and heart failure. Currently it can be treated with minimally invasive radio-frequency catheter ablation. However, the lack of monitoring and assessment of the transmural extent of the lesion currently limits the success rate of this technique. In this study we have developed a novel dual-mode intracardiac echocardiography catheter capable of performing ultrasound imaging and high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation. Using the same device we demonstrate in vivo the feasibility of intracardiac shear-wave elastography to evaluate thermal ablation as well as the feasibility of creating transmural and linear lesions (up to 10-mm wide) in the atrial wall.