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X-ray dose and associated risks from radiofrequency catheter ablation procedures
S L McFadden1, R B Mooney, P H Shepherd
1Angiocardiographic Suite, Royal Victoria Hospital, Grosvenor Road, Belfast, BT12 6BA, Northern Ireland.
The British Journal of Radiology
|April 5, 2002
Summary
This study quantified radiation exposure during radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation. While patient skin doses were sometimes high, effective doses for operators remained low, indicating manageable risks for RF ablation procedures.
Area of Science:
- Medical Physics
- Cardiology
- Radiation Safety
Background:
- Radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation is a common cardiac procedure.
- Ionizing radiation exposure is a concern for both patients and operators during fluoroscopically guided interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify ionizing radiation exposure to patients and operators during RF catheter ablation.
- To estimate the associated health risks, particularly skin injury for patients and occupational dose for cardiologists.
Main Methods:
- Measured occupational doses using film badges and extremity thermoluminescent dosemeters (TLDs).
- Measured patient skin dose and dose-area product (DAP) using TLDs.
- Analyzed data from 50 RF ablation procedures.
Main Results:
- Mean effective dose for cardiologists was <0.15 mSv/month; mean hand dose was 0.24 mSv/procedure.
- Mean patient skin dose was 0.81 Gy; mean DAP was 123 Gycm(2).
- Mean effective patient dose was 17 mSv (0.1% excess fatal cancer risk); 12% of patients exceeded skin injury threshold, with no reported injuries.
Conclusions:
- Occupational doses for cardiologists are well below statutory limits.
- Dose-area product (DAP) can effectively monitor patient skin dose in real-time.
- While some patients received doses near injury thresholds, RF catheter ablation risks are manageable with appropriate monitoring.