A novel radiation protection drape reduces radiation exposure during fluoroscopy guided electrophysiology procedures.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate a novel disposable lead-free radiation protection drape for decreasing radiation scatter during electrophysiology procedures.


BACKGROUND
In recent years, there has been an exponential increase in the number of electrophysiology (EP) procedures exposing patients, operators and laboratory staff to higher radiation doses.


METHODS
The RADPAD was positioned slightly lateral to the incision site for pectoral device implants and superior to the femoral vein during electrophysiology studies. Each patient served as their own control and dosimetric measurements were obtained at the examiner's elbow and hand. Radiation badge readings for the operator were obtained three months prior to RADPAD use and three months after introduction.


RESULTS
Radiation dosimetry was obtained in twenty patients: 7 electrophysiology studies, 6 pacemakers, 5 catheter ablations, and 2 implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. Eleven women and nine men with a mean age of 63 +/- 4 years had an average fluoroscopy time of 2.5 +/- 0.42 minutes per case. Mean dosimetric measurements at the hand were reduced from 141.38 +/- 24.67 to 48.63 +/- 9.02 milliroentgen (mR) per hour using the protective drape (63% reduction; p < 0.0001). Measurements at the elbow were reduced from 78.78 +/- 7.95 mR per hour to 34.50 +/- 4.18 mR per hour using the drape (55% reduction; p < 0.0001). Badge readings for three months prior to drape introduction averaged 2.45 mR per procedure versus 1.54 mR per procedure for 3 months post-initiation (37% reduction).


CONCLUSIONS
The use of a novel radiation protection surgical drape can significantly reduce scatter radiation exposure to staff and operators during a variety of EP procedures.
Germano
Joseph J
JJ
Winthrop-University Hospital, 120 Mineola Boulevard, Suite 500, Mineola, New York 11501, USA.
Day
Gina
G
Gregorious
David
D
Natarajan
Venkataraman
V
Cohen
Todd
T
D022062:Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011874:Radiometry