Radiation dose during interventional cardiology procedures: portable C-arm vs. a new generation fluoroscopy system

INTRODUCTION

Occupational exposure to ionizing radiation poses health risks for veterinary interventionalists. There are limited veterinary studies evaluating radiation dose in the cardiac catheterization laboratory. The purpose of this study was to report direct radiation dose exposure to patients during common interventional cardiology procedures and compare these doses between two fluoroscopy units.

ANIMALS

One hundred and fifty-four client-owned dogs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patient dose during procedures using a portable C-arm were retrospectively analyzed and compared to those performed in a contemporary interventional suite. Fluoroscopy equipment, procedure type, operator, patient weight, fluoroscopy time, dose area product, and air kerma were recorded and statistically modeled using univariable and multivariable linear regression to evaluate the effect of each factor.

RESULTS

Patient dose population (154 dogs), comprised 61 patent ductus arteriosus occlusions, 60 balloon pulmonary valvuloplasties, and 33 pacemaker implantations. Patient dose was significantly lower in the group utilizing a newer generation fluoroscopy unit vs. the group utilizing an older portable C-arm, positively correlated with patient weight, and highest during balloon pulmonary valvuloplasties compared to patent ductus arteriosus occlusions or pacemaker implantations (all p<0.010).

DISCUSSION

Newer fluoroscopy systems can be equipped with technologies that improve image quality while reducing patient dose and radiation exposure to interventional personnel.

CONCLUSIONS

We documented a significant reduction in patient radiation dose using a newer fluoroscopy system as compared to an older portable C-arm for interventional cardiology procedures in animals. Improved knowledge of patient radiation dose factors may promote better radiation safety protocols in veterinary interventional cardiology.

Fluoroscopic-guided supra-scapular nerve block in the management of shoulder pain in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital: Report of five cases

Shoulder pain complaints are common in our environment. The disorder can occur among the young active age group or in the older patients as a result of degenerative changes with its attendant limitations of the function of the affected upper limb, hindrance of the performance of activities of daily living, and reduced quality of life. The traditional oral analgesics, physiotherapy, and intra-articular corticosteroid injections are seldom ineffective at providing the desired pain relief and functional improvement at the shoulder joint. We investigated the role of fluoroscopic-guided supra-scapular nerve blocks (SSNBs) in patients with shoulder pain who failed to respond to the routine conservative management. With the patient lying prone and the C-arm fluoroscope placed in anterior-posterior position, the scapula notch was visualized and a 22G spinal needle was directed toward the nerve. The mixture of local anesthetic agent and steroid was injected as close to the nerve as possible after negative aspiration. Fluoroscopic-guided SSNB can produce substantial pain relief and improved range of movement in patients with painful shoulders. The procedure is safe, well tolerated, and can be done on a day-case basis.