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Physicians' exposure to radiation during electrophysiology procedures

Laurent Faroux1,2, Charline Daval3, François Lesaffre3

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Reims University Hospital, Reims, France. laurent.faroux88@gmail.com.

Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology : an International Journal of Arrhythmias and Pacing
|June 10, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Cardiologists face higher radiation exposure during certain electrophysiology procedures. Atrial flutter and AVNRT/AVNT ablations result in the greatest physician radiation exposure, primarily linked to X-ray time.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Medical Physics
  • Radiation Safety

Background:

  • Cardiologists performing electrophysiology procedures are at high risk of occupational radiation exposure.
  • Previous studies have not comparatively assessed radiation exposure across different electrophysiology procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To measure and compare radiation exposure levels for cardiologists during various electrophysiology procedures.
  • To identify specific procedures associated with higher radiation doses for operators.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 150 electrophysiology procedures over a 6-month period.
  • Radiation exposure measured using personal electronic dosimeters on the operator's left arm.

Main Results:

  • Radiation exposure varied significantly by procedure type.
  • Compared to electrophysiology studies, exposure was 3x higher for atrial fibrillation ablation, 9x higher for AVNRT/AVNT ablation, and 10x higher for atrial flutter ablation.
  • X-ray time was the primary determinant of physician radiation exposure (R²=0.28).

Conclusions:

  • Significant differences in cardiologist radiation exposure exist based on the electrophysiology procedure performed.
  • Atrial flutter and AVNRT/AVNT ablations pose the highest radiation risks to operators.
Abstract

Keywords:
DosimetryElectrophysiologyRadiation protectionRadiation risk

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