Abstract
The use of fluoroscopic devices exposes patients and operators to harmful effects of ionizing radiation in an electrophysiology (EP) lab. We sought to know if the newer fluoroscopic technology (Allura Clarity) installed in a hybrid EP helps to reduce prescribed radiation dose. We performed radiation dose analysis of 90 patients who underwent various procedures in the EP lab at a community teaching hospital after the introduction of newer fluoroscopic technology in June of 2016. Watchman device insertion, radiofrequency ablation procedures, permanent pacemaker (PPM)/implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) placement and battery changes were included in the study to compare radiation exposure during different procedures performed commonly in an EP lab. In all cases of watchman device placement, radiofrequency ablation procedures, PPM/ICD placement and battery changes, there was a statistically significant difference (<0.05) in radiation dose exposure. Significant reduction in radiation exposure during various procedures performed in an EP lab was achieved with aid of newer fluoroscopic technology and better image detection technology.
Highlights
Introduction technology compared to AlluraXper sys- testinal (GI) bleed with symptomatic anetem.[2,3] In the new EP lab, transition from mia (5 cases); ii) AF with recurrent mechan-Many minimally invasive image-guided biplane to ceiling-mounted monoplane ical falls (2 cases); iii) AF with history of therapies have replaced highly invasive sur- screens with a large detector was made. intracranial bleeding (2 cases)
Discharging patients on the same al visualization systems were installed for formed in the new EP lab with a median day as their procedure has become priority better procedural image quality and guid- radiation of 48.5 mGy
This trend is evident in vari- through the use of smaller spot sizes gener- Average fluoroscopic time for watchman ous cardiology interventions as well mainly ated by flat emitters, shorter pulses, and insertion in new EP lab was 21.36 minutes
Summary
Conflict of interest: the authors declare no study to compare radiation exposure during conflict of interest
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