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Lower fluoroscopy frame rate performs well in peripheral vascular interventions
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Among patients who received peripheral vascular interventions, a fluoroscopy frame rate of 7.5 frames per second led to a reduced radiation dose and comparable success compared with the standard of 15 frames per second, leading researchers to conclude that the lower rate should be considered during these procedures.
The retrospective analysis, which was published in the journal Vascular, included data from 87 consecutive peripheral vascular interventions (PVIs) performed at two medical centers from 2011 to 2012. Using the fluoroscopy frame rate, researchers divided patients into two groups: 7.5 frames per second (group A; n = 44) and 15 frames per second (group B; n = 43). They compared radiation dose and demographic, clinical and procedural characteristics and outcomes.
Radiation dose, as measured in dose area product or micro Gray per meter square, was lower in group A (3358 vs. 8812; P<.001).
There were no differences in median fluoroscopy time in minutes (group A, 18.7; group B, 15.7; P = .156) or success rate (group A, 93.2%; group B, 95.3%; P > .999), or amount of contrast used (group A, 130 mL; group B, 147 mL; P = .3).
“Although lower fluoroscopy rates have been already used in some centers effectively with good imaging and procedural results, there has been no prior study in this era,” the researchers wrote. “Our study showed that PVIs performed using fluoroscopy at [a] lower rate of 7.5 [frames per second] are associated with lower radiation dose when compared to the standard 15 [frames per second] without any difference in success rate, fluoroscopy time or amount of contrast used. Further research with multicenter, double blinded, randomized controlled trials with a bigger sample size and wider range of measurements may be needed to confirm our findings.” – by Brian Ellis
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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