Decrease in Patient Radiation Exposure by a Tantalum Filter during Electrophysiological Procedures

Aim: Minimization of X-ray exposure remains a primary issue in cardiac electrophysiology. The effectiveness of X-ray beam filtration during cardiac electrophysiologicol procedures was therefore studied, using a 0.05-mm-thick tantalum (Ta)foil, as a filter on the primary X-ray beam, to reduce the patient dose without degradation of image quality, Method: Preliminary tests were made on a phantom developed with polymethylmethacrylate, catheters, and guide wires. The alter was then used in patients during cardiac procedures, Identical patient images were obtained with and with out the Ta filter insertion and the ratio between image quality and patient dose 0 was evaluated. Changes in patient dose and signal-to-noise ratio, as image quality index were measured on the phantom and in patients. Results and Conclusions: When the Ta filter was used, the mean effective individual patient dose decreased by 3 to 40% (mean reduction = 27%), with no perceivable difference in image quality estimated by electrophysiologists. This To filter may be useful to limit the radiation exposure of patients and operators during cardiac procedures. (PACE 2009; 32:S109-S112)