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In 2011, national diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) were proposed for pain management fluoroscopic procedures in Belgium. The primary goal of this work is to compare the dose area product values (DAP) recorded at the Saint-Luc University Hospital to these DRLs. From 2012 to 2015, 7664 interventional pain management procedures (4740 epidural, 2097 medial branch and 807 transforaminal infiltrations) were performed. Uni/multivariable analyses were done regarding the influence of different factors. The fluoroscopy duration and the DAP are lower to the DRLs (p < 0.001). From 7644 procedures' DAP, 1431 (18.7%) were higher than the DRLs: 1397 epidural (29.5%), 16 medial branch (0.8%) and 18 transforaminal infiltrations (2.2%) (p < 0.001 between procedures). The main factor that significantly modifies DAP, as duration, is the practitioner. Additionally, we obtained [IQR: 25-75] values for epidural [0.0174-0.055 mGy m2], medial branch block [0.0194-0.0472] and transforaminal infiltrations [0.0499-0.1067 mGy m2] (p < 0.05 vs. DRLs, respectively, 0.05, 0.25 and 0.3 mGy m2). Systematic use of contrast confirmation significantly increases DAP (p < 0.001). This retrospective analysis shows differences in DAP, mainly driven by the practitioner. This suggests the existence of modifiable factors. Programs aiming to determine these factors to reduce this DAP are justified.

An increasing number of centers not necessarily equipped with biplane (BP) angiosuites are performing mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in acute ischemic stroke patients. We assessed whether MT performed on single-plane (SP) is equivalent in terms of safety, effectiveness, radiation and contrast agent exposure. Consecutive patients treated by MT in four high volume centers between January 2014 and May 2017 were included. Demographic and MT characteristics were assessed and compared between SP and BP. Of 906 patients treated by MT, 576 (64%) were handled on a BP system. After multivariate analysis, contrast load and fluoroscopy duration were significantly lower in the BP group [100vs200mL, relative effect 0.85 (CI: 0.79–0.92), p = 0.0002; 22 vs 27 min, relative effect 0.84 (CI: 0.76–0.93), p = 0.0008, respectively]. There was no difference in recanalization (modified Thrombolysis-In-Cerebral-Infarction 2b-3), good clinical outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0–2), complications rates, procedure duration or radiation exposure. A three-vessel diagnostic angiogram performed prior to MT led to a significant increase in procedure duration (15% increase, p = 0.05), radiation exposure (33% increase, p

Objective To identify both the procedural and anatomic factors which determine duration of fluoroscopy during elective endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). Methods We retrospectively analyzed our prospectively maintained EVAR database for the relationship between fluoroscopy time and both procedural (type of graft, configuration, number of components, surgeon) and anatomic factors reflective of aneurysm complexity (15 variables). Results A total of 128 patients underwent elective EVAR with a mean fluoroscopy time of 5.7 ± 3.4 min. The type of grafts used consisted of 41 (32%) Zenith, 85 (66.4%) Endurant and 2 (1.6%) Anaconda, with 105 (82%) being bifurcated and 23 (18%) being aorto-uni-iliac (AUI) in configuration. Both the surgeon performing the procedure ( p = 0.001) and graft configuration (bifurcated vs. AUI, p = 0.03) were found to be predictive of fluoroscopy time; while procedural and anatomic variables were not. Conclusions The surgeon’s efficiency in the use of fluoroscopy during EVAR is the most important determinant of total fluoroscopy time. Anatomic complexity, make of device, and number of components inserted have minimal impact on duration of fluoroscopy. An endovascular surgeon’s ability to curtail fluoroscopy duration is the key component in minimizing radiation exposure to both the surgical team and the patient.

BACKGROUND: Fluoroscopy during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has a logarithmic relationship with radiation exposure, and carries a known risk of radiation exposure to patients and staff. Factors associated with prolonged fluoroscopy duration have not been well delineated.OBJECTIVES: To determine the specific patient, physician and procedural factors that affect fluoroscopy duration.METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 1071 ERCPs performed at two tertiary care referral hospitals over an 18-month period was conducted. Patient, physician and procedural variables were recorded at the time of the procedure.RESULTS: The mean duration of 969 fluoroscopy procedures was 4.66 min (95% CI 4.38 to 4.93). Multivariable analysis showed that the specific patient factors associated with prolonged fluoroscopy duration included age and diagnosis (both Pttests determined that the only two diagnoses for which fluoroscopy duration was significantly different from the reference diagnosis of ‘no pathology found’ were common bile duct stones (PCONCLUSIONS: Factors that significantly affected fluoroscopy duration included age, diagnosis, endoscopist, and the number and nature of procedures performed. Elderly patients with biliary stones or a malignant stricture were likely to require the longest duration of fluoroscopy. These identified variables may help endoscopists predict which procedures are associated with prolonged fluoroscopy duration so that appropriate precautions can be undertaken.

Aim The Biosense Webster ThermoCool® SmartTouch® Surround Flow (STSF) catheter is a recently developed ablation catheter incorporating Surround Flow (SF) technology to ensure efficient cooling and force sensing to quantify tissue contact. In our unit, it superseded the ThermoCool® SF catheter from the time of its introduction in May 2015. Methods and results Procedure-related data were collected prospectively for the first 100 ablation procedures performed in our department using the STSF catheter. From a database of 654 procedures performed in our unit using the SF catheter, we selected one to match each STSF procedure, matching for procedure type, operator experience, patient age, and gender. The groups were well matched for patient age, gender, and procedure type. Procedure duration was similar in both groups (mean 225.5 vs. 221.4 min, IQR 106.5 vs. 91.5, P = 0.55), but fluoroscopy duration was shorter in the STSF group (mean 25.8 vs. 30.0, IQR 19.6 vs. 18.5, P = 0.03). No complication occurred in the STSF group. Complications occurred in two cases in the SF group (one pericardial effusion requiring drainage and one need for permanent pacing). Complete procedural success was achieved in 98 cases in the STSF group and 94 cases in the SF group (P = 0.15). The composite endpoint of procedure failure or acute complication was less common in the STSF group (2 vs. 8, P = 0.05). Conclusion The STSF catheter is safe and effective in treating a range of arrhythmias. Compared with the SF catheter, it shows a trend towards improved safety–efficacy balance.

Background Fluoroscopy during ERCP has a linear relationship with radiation, carrying risk of exposure. Objective To determine patient, physician, and procedural factors affecting fluoroscopy duration. Design Prospective analysis of ERCPs with evaluation of patient, physician, and procedural variables. Setting Two tertiary-care hospitals. Patients Consecutive patients undergoing ERCP. Interventions ERCP. Main Outcome Measurements Variables associated with prolonged fluoroscopy duration. Results Mean fluoroscopy time (388 ERCPs) was 6.77 minutes (95% CI, 6.15-7.39). No patient factors were found to significantly affect fluoroscopy duration. Fluoroscopy duration was significantly lower for 2 endoscopists compared with the reference endoscopist (average of 4.16 minutes less; 95% CI, −5.48 to −2.48). Multivariable analysis identified variables associated with longer fluoroscopy duration; stent insertion (+3.11 minutes; 95% CI, 1.91-4.30), lithotripsy (+5.74 minutes; 95% CI, 0.931-10.5), needle-knife sphincterotomy (+4.44 minutes; 95% CI, 2.20-6.67), biopsies (+2.11 minutes; 95% CI, 0.025-4.18), use of a guidewire (+1.55 minutes; 95% CI, 0.025-3.07), additional guidewires (+5.61 minutes; 95% CI, 2.69-8.51), and balloon catheter (+4.27 minutes; 95% CI, 3.00-5.53). Mean fluoroscopy duration when a gastroenterology fellow was involved (n = 318) was 7.05 minutes (95% CI, 6.35-7.76) compared with 5.44 minutes (95% CI, 4.26-6.63) when no fellow present (n = 70) ( P Limitations Only 2 centers; others may have different results. Not blinded; investigators may change their practice because fluoroscopy was duration studied. Irrelevance of measuring fluoroscopy duration because endoscopists using protection may not have increased radiation exposure. Conclusions In this prospective analysis, factors associated with fluoroscopy duration included endoscopists; stent insertion; lithotripsy; biopsies; use of a needle-knife, guidewire, and balloon catheter; and involvement of a gastroenterology fellow. These identified variables may help endoscopists predict which procedures are associated with prolonged fluoroscopy duration and may lead to appropriate precautions.

A 4-F braided catheter with a soft radiopaque tip was used in selective spinal panangiographic procedures. Results obtained with the catheter were compared with those obtained in procedures with conventional catheters. The catheter was used in the intercostal, lumbar, and sacral arteries. Advantages of using this catheter include excellent maneuverability, reduced patient exposure to contrast medium, and reduced fluoroscopy duration.