A New Device for Protection from Radiation Exposure during Catheter Ablation

Background: As the indications for catheter ablation of complex arrhythmias has expanded, the radiation exposure to the operator has increased. Recently, a radiation protection cabin (RPC) has been developed. However, the effect of reducing the radiation exposure of the operator has not been fully evaluated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy the RPC during catheter ablation (CA). Method & Results: Twenty-six patients who underwent CA were included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups, those in which the RPC was used (RPC group; n = 11) and those in which it was not used (no RPC group; n = 15). The radiation dosage was measured with thermoluminescent dosimeters placed on the head and chest. The decrement rates at the unprotected area of not only the operator but also the assistant in the RPC group were significantly higher than those in the no RPC group. There was no significant difference in the decrement rate in the protected areas between the two groups. Conclusion: This study shows that the RPC protects from radiation exposure not only the operator but also the assistant and frees us from using a heavy apron.