Radiation exposure to patient and operator during radiofrequency ablation for supraventricular tachycardia
Abstract
Radiofrequency (RF) ablation has become the primary method of treatment for supraventricular tachycardia and often requires prolonged fluoroscopy times. To quantitate radiation exposure to patient and operator during RF ablation for supraventricular tachycardia. Thermoluminescent dosemeters were used to monitor radiation at seven sites. Positions were: patient's thyroid, left scapula, T9 vertebra, right scapula and L4-L5 vertebra and the operator's thyroid and left hand. Monitoring was performed during 22 procedures. Of the patients studied 10 (45%) had atrioventricular junctional re-entry tachycardia (AVJRT) and 12 (55%) had accessory pathway tachycardia. The median fluoroscopy times (minutes) and inter-quartile ranges were 46 (39-65) for AVJRT, 55 (52-60) for left free wall accessory pathway (LFW), 107 (89-140) for septal and 166 (128-176) for RFW pathways. The mean radiation doses (mGy) to the chest wall were 50 for AVJRT, 47 for LFW, 87 for septal and 151 for RFW pathways. The mean radiation to the chest wall of the patient per case was found to be 3.9 times that reported for diagnostic cardiac catheterisation and 1.5 times that reported for angioplasty. Radiofrequency ablation is associated with significant irradiation of ...Continue Reading
References
Radiation exposure during radiofrequency catheter ablation of accessory atrioventricular connections
Citations
Effectiveness of shielding for patients during cardiac catheterization or electrophysiologic testing
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