Student no. 90209

References

Kcare. (2006). Report 06044 Cardiovascular Imaging Systems A Comparative Report Edition  5. Retrieved January 1st 2010 from

IR(ME)R, DH (2000). . Retrieved November 28th, 2009, from

MHRA. (2005). Comparative Specifications of Single Plane Cardiovascular Imaging Systems Edition . Retrieved January 1st 2010 from .

Medicine on-line. (2006). Radiation exposure in the cath lab – safety and precautions. Retrieved January 1st 2010 from

GE Healthcare (2009). X-ray education – dose. Retrieved January 1st 2010 from

RadioGraphics. (2000). The AAPM/RSNA Physics Tutorial for Residents General Overview of Fluoroscopic Imaging. Retrieved January 1st 2010 from

http://radiographics.rsna.org/content/20/4/1115.full.pdf+html

M. Ipe (2002). Medical and Dental Guidance Notes: A Good Practice Guide on All Aspects of Ionising Radiation Protection in the Clinical Environment. Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine, York.

Stewart C Bushong (2004). Radiologic Science for Technologists. Elsevier Mosby, Missouri.

Kenneth L Bontrager, John P Lampignano (2005). Textbook of Radiographic Positioning and Related Anatomy. 6th ed. Elsevier Mosby, Missouri.

National Cancer Institute (2005). Interventional Fluoroscopy: Reducing Radiation Risks for Patients and Staff . Retrieved January 1st 2010 from

Cath Lab Digest. (2009). Angio Procedures Growing at a Steady 4%-5% Clip, with Positive Market Prospects for Angio Systems. Retrieved January 1st 2010 from http://www.cathlabdigest.com/articles/Clinical-and-Industry-News-39

Cardiovascular Fluoroscopy

This essay will look at cardiovascular fluoroscopy, identifying its purpose, the medical procedures it is required for and how it meets the needs of these procedures, whilst explaining how this links with existing radiation protection guidelines, mainly IR(ME)R and ALARP. Comparisons will be drawn with other advanced imaging equipment to compare their main differences.

Cardiovascular fluoroscopy combines real time imaging (fluoroscopy) with diagnostic and interventional procedures involving the cardiovascular system, the components of which include circulation within the heart (cardio), and the blood vessels (vascular).  The two other types of fluoroscopy are standard and mobile, which will be looked at in comparison with cardiovascular fluoroscopy within this essay. The advantages of angiographic procedures compared to surgery to perform similar examinations is that it is non evasive, as access is gained percutaneously. This carries all the benefits of other non evasive procedures, such as reduced risk of infection, reduced trauma to the patient and reduced costs to the NHS. One of the major risks involved in this procedure though is continuous bleeding at the access site. (Bushong, 2004).  It is reported by  IMV marketing in July 2009 that from 2004 to 2008, total procedures performed in angio labs grew 20% in the USA.  (Cath Lab Digest, 2009).

Join now!

Equipment design for CV fluoroscopy has to take in the following considerations:

  • Types of procedures
  • Radiation dose to patients (protection)
  • Patient skin entrance doses
  • Screening times
  • Radiation dose to staff (protection)
  • Image quality
  • Manoeuvrability of C arm and table for patient positioning
  • Sterile environment
  • Workstations and imaging acquisition and processing

Procedures

Cardiovascular fluoroscopy equipment design takes into consideration the procedures involved in angiography.  Equipment is highly specialised for the imaging of arteries, veins and the heart, so has to take into consideration the low contrast of the structures, screening times and radiation doses and imaging quality.  

...

This is a preview of the whole essay