How does imaging integration (CT/MRI) assist EP mapping and ablation planning?

• A. Provides anatomic detail (PV ostia, LA appendage) and enables precise navigation; reduces contrast and radiation by enabling pre-procedural planning.
• B. Replaces the need for fluoroscopy entirely during the procedure.
• C. Only visualizes the ventricles.
• D. Adds no value to EP planning.

Answer: (A)

Imaging integration creates a patient-specific 3D map of left atrial anatomy, including the pulmonary vein ostia and left atrial appendage, that guides both mapping and ablation planning. By segmenting CT or MRI data and fusing it with the electroanatomic map, you can precisely navigate catheters to the anatomically relevant targets, plan ablation lines, and anticipate anatomic variants. This pre-procedural planning reduces the need for extensive intraprocedural imaging and lower contrast and radiation exposure, since much of the anatomy is already defined and registered before or early in the procedure. It doesn’t replace fluoroscopy entirely, and imaging integration is valuable for both atrial structures and other details; saying it adds no value or visualizes only the ventricles would miss the key benefit of detailed atrial geometry and planning.