Intracardiac Echocardiography (ICE)

Intracardiac echocardiography is an imaging technique that uses a catheter with an ultrasound transducer to obtain images of the heart from within. This procedure allows safe, real time imaging of the heart and allows the heart to be easily viewed during a procedure.

UC San Diego cardiologists often use ICE during atrial fibrillation ablation procedures to visualize cardiac structures such as the pulmonary veins. Intracardiac echocardiography can also be used to detect bacterial or fungal infections in the heart.