Phantom evaluation of angiographer performance using low frame rate acquisition fluoroscopy

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Interventional Radiology
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Fluoroscopy is crucial in interventional radiology for guiding procedures.
• Reducing radiation dose during fluoroscopy is a primary concern.
• Lower frame rates may decrease radiation exposure but could impact procedural time.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of reduced frame rate fluoroscopy (5 frames/s) on the time required for selective arterial catheterization.
• To compare the efficiency of 5 frames/s fluoroscopy with standard 30 frames/s fluoroscopy in a simulated angiographic environment.

Main Methods:

• An angiographic phantom simulating the aorta and its branches was used.
• Catheterization of five test arteries was performed.
• Acquisition at 5 frames/s was achieved by sampling from a 30 frames/s video signal with continuous display.
• Time for catheter placement was measured and compared between 30 frames/s and 5 frames/s conditions.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in catheterization time was observed for four out of five vessels when comparing 5 frames/s and 30 frames/s fluoroscopy.
• The study assessed the time efficiency of reduced frame rate fluoroscopy in a controlled setting.

Conclusions:

• Acquisition at 5 frames/s is a viable option for selective arterial catheterization, showing comparable procedural times to 30 frames/s.
• Reduced frame rate fluoroscopy may offer a method to decrease radiation dose without substantially increasing procedure duration in angiography.