Key result
Mini-course lectures on radiation exposure for staff significantly reduced fluoroscopic time (25.1 vs 15.1 min) and radiation dose (295.0 vs 109.6 mGy) during AF ablation (p<0.0001).
Why the study?
With increasing numbers and procedural durations of complex catheter ablations, radiation exposure must be minimized to mitigate hazards for patients and laboratory staff.
Does delivering mini-course lectures to promote awareness reduce fluoroscopic time and radiation dose during catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation?
Observational (n=210)
Does delivering mini-course lectures to promote awareness reduce fluoroscopic time and radiation dose during catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation?
Absolute Event Rate: 15.1% vs 25.1%
p-value: p=<0.0001
Educational interventions to increase awareness of radiation hazards among electrophysiology staff can significantly and durably reduce fluoroscopy time and radiation dose during AF ablation.
May support radiation awareness training in AF ablation labs; leaves open confirmation via randomized trials.
Objective: Recently, concern has increased regarding the hazards of radiation exposure in patients and laboratory staff. Since the numbers of complex catheter ablations (CA) performed, duration of procedure times, and need for multiple sessions have increased, radiation exposure during each session needs to be minimised. Our study aimed to assess the impact of awareness on radiation exposure during CA for atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: Mini-course lectures was delivered to the physicians and staff in the electrophysiology division. Its effect on the fluoroscopic time and radiation dose during AF ablation before (Group I, n=70), shortly after (Group II: n=70) and remotely after the mini-lecture (Group III, n=70) were evaluated. Patient demographics, preoperative testing and procedural parameters were collected. Results: The fluoroscopic time significantly reduced after the lecture (Group I and II: 25.1±10.0 and 15.1±7.3 min, respectively (p<0.0001)), and remained so in Group III (13.0±5.4 min), despite the increase in the number of persistent AFs. The radiation dose also significantly reduced (Groups I, II, III: 295.0±263.0, 109.6±103.5 and 110.1±89.6 mGy, respectively (p<0.0001)). Conclusion: Awareness on radiation exposure led to a significant reduction in fluoroscopic time and radiation dose during CA for AF, the effect of which persisted even to remote periods following the procedure.
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Miwa et al. (2019) conducted an observational in Atrial fibrillation (n=210). Mini-course lectures on radiation exposure awareness vs. Before the mini-lecture was evaluated on Fluoroscopic time (p=<0.0001). Mini-course lectures on radiation exposure for staff significantly reduced fluoroscopic time (25.1 vs 15.1 min) and radiation dose (295.0 vs 109.6 mGy) during AF ablation (p<0.0001).
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