Adding interactive face-to-face lectures to passive lectures effectively reduces radiation exposure during atrial fibrillation ablation. Issue 5 (May 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Miyazaki, Yuichiro; Yamagata, Kenichiro; Wakamiya, Akinori; Shimamoto, Keiko; Ueda, Nobuhiko; Nakajima, Kenzaburo; Kamakura, Tsukasa; Wada, Mitsuru; Ishibashi, Kohei; Inoue, Yuko; Miyamoto, Koji; Nagase, Satoshi; Aiba, Takeshi; Kusano, Kengo
• Is Part Of: Journal of cardiology. Volume 81:Issue 5(2023)
• Page Start: 464
• Page End: 468
• Publication Date: 2023-05
• Subjects: Atrial fibrillation -- Catheter ablation -- Face-to-face lecture -- Passive lecture -- Radiation awareness; Cardiology -- Periodicals; 616.12
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jjcc.2023.02.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0914-5087

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Radiation exposure remains a major concern for electrophysiologists and patients. This study aimed to investigate the effect of altering awareness of radiation exposure during atrial fibrillation ablation using interactive face-to-face (FTF) lectures compared to passive lectures. Methods: Patients who underwent their first catheter ablation with radiofrequency energy for atrial fibrillation between January 2014 and December 2020 were included in this study. All operators attended an e-learning lecture on radiation exposure before catheter ablation. The addition of FTF lectures to this lecture was introduced in 2018. The effect on radiation exposure was compared between the pre-FTF and FTF periods by comparing fluoroscopy time and radiation dose. Results: A total of 896 patients [mean age, 66 ± 11 years; 603 men (67 %)] were included in this study. For pre-FTF ( n = 345), only pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) was performed in 112 patients and PVI with additional ablation in 233 patients. For FTF lectures ( n = 551), PVI-only was performed in 302 patients and PVI with additional ablation in 249 patients. Fluoroscopy time, cumulative air kerma, and cumulative air kerma per time significantly reduced after FTF introduction in both PVI-only group [pre-FTF and FTF; 37 ± 15 min and 16 ± 10 min ( p < 0.0001), 477 ± 582 mGy and 108 ± 156 mGy ( p < 0.0001), 11 ± 12 mGy/min, and 5 ± 6 mGy/min ( p < 0.0001), respectively] and PVI with additional ablation group [pre-FTF and FTF; 48 ± 17 min and 15 ± 13 min ( p < 0.0001), 613 ± 483 mGy and 68 ± 96 mGy ( p < 0.0001), 12 ± 10 mGy/min, and 4 ± 4 mGy/min ( p < 0.0001), respectively]. There were no significant differences in intraoperative complications between the two periods. Conclusions: FTF lectures can reduce radiation exposure. Graphical abstract: Unlabelled Image Highlights: Lecturing promotes fluoroscopic exposure reduction during catheter ablation Procedure time decreased after face-to-face lecture delivery Face-to-face lectures can reduce radiation exposure without extra complications