Physicians' exposure to radiation during electrophysiology procedures

Abstract

Purpose: Cardiologists are among the health professionals that are most exposed to ionizing radiation, but there is no study comparing the level of exposure of physicians during different electrophysiology procedures. We aimed to measure and compare cardiologists' exposure to radiation during different electrophysiology procedures.

Methods: The study population comprised all electrophysiology procedures performed over a 6-month period in a large referral centre. The endpoint was operator radiation exposure, assessed using a personal electronic dosimeter located on the operator's left arm.

Results: In total, 150 electrophysiology procedures were analyzed. Compared with electrophysiology studies (reference category), physician radiation exposure was 3-fold greater during ablation of atrial fibrillation, 9-fold greater during ablation of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT)/atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia (AVNT), and 10-fold greater during ablation of atrial flutter (p < 0.001). Physician exposure was mainly related to X-ray time (R² = 0.28).

Conclusions: Our study showed significant differences in cardiologists' exposure to ionizing radiation depending on the type of electrophysiology procedure. Atrial flutter and AVNRT/AVNT ablations are the procedures in which operators are most exposed to ionizing radiation.

Keywords: Dosimetry; Electrophysiology; Radiation protection; Radiation risk.