Radiation exposure during non-thrombotic iliac vein stenting

Objective Fluoroscopic-guided interventions have become a major part of the modern vascular surgeon's practice. Imaging is typically required to safely and effectively perform both simple and complex endovascular interventions. With an ever-increasing volume of fluoroscopic-guided interventions being performed each year, the minimization of harmful radiation exposure has become of paramount concern for both patients and providers. The purpose of this study was to identify the extent of radiation exposure associated with venography and iliac vein stenting, an intervention utilized in the management of chronic venous insufficiency. Methods This was a single-center, retrospective analysis of 40 venograms performed on 29 unique patients over a three-month period. Patients with signs and symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency who failed conservative therapy underwent evaluation of the vena cava and iliofemoral veins with venography and intravascular ultrasound. Stent placement was performed if a >50% cross-sectional area or diameter reduction was identified via intravascular ultrasound. All patients were found to have non-thrombotic iliac vein lesions. All patients wore two individual film badge dosimeters - one on their chest and the other on the abdomen. The same mobile C-arm system was used for all interventions. Results There were 15 males and 14 females, with an average age of 70.6 years old (SD +/- 9.5; range 53-89) and a mean body mass index of 33.9 kg/m(2). Sixteen limbs had C6 disease, 10 had C4 disease, and 14 had C3 disease. Thirty-eight of the 40 procedures resulted in stent placement, with an average of 1.13 stents placed per intervention. The average fluoroscopy time was 76.5 s (SD +/- 36.9; range 7.8-209.5), and the mean cumulative air kerma was 1.08 mGy (SD +/- 0.55; range 0.362-2.24). Average cumulative air kerma was higher in procedures resulting >1 stent placement compared to those with placement of <= 1 stent (1.44 vs. 1.02 mGy; p = 0.04). Fluoroscopy time was also higher in procedures with >1 stent placed (120.1 vs. 68.8 s; p = 0.0004). The mean deep dose equivalent per procedure from the patient-worn abdominal badge was 0.221 mSv. Conclusion With the adjunctive use of intravascular ultrasound, iliac vein stenting can be safely and effectively performed with very low utilization of fluoroscopy, and therefore radiation exposure can be minimized for both patients and surgeons. Placement of >1 iliac vein stent resulted in higher cumulative air kerma and fluoroscopy time.