Reduction of radiation exposure in cryoballoon ablation procedures: a single-centre study applying intracardiac echocardiography and other radioprotective measures

Abstract

Radiation exposure in CB PVI can be markedly reduced without prolonging procedure times, affecting the outcome or complication rates. Moreover, ICE seems to shorten total freezing time.

The use of intracardiac echocardiography catheters in endocardial ablation of cardiac arrhythmia: Meta‐analysis of efficiency, effectiveness, and safety outcomes

“…The significant reduction in fluoroscopy time demonstrated in the main analysis was robust in all sensitivity testing, including studies with only AF patients (Hedges' g −1.25; 95% CI −2.14 to −0.36; P < .01) 10,11,24,26–31,37,38 . (Table S3).…”

“…Ten studies reported fluoroscopy dose data, with significant heterogeneity among studies (I 2 = 93%) and no evidence of publication bias or small study effects 23–28,31,33,37,38 . Use of ICE in ablation procedures showed significant reductions in fluoroscopy dose vs ablation without the use of ICE (Hedges' g −1.27; 95% CI −1.91 to −0.62; P < .01) (Figure 3A).…”

“…Eleven studies reported freedom from arrhythmia outcomes, with no observable heterogeneity among studies (I 2 = 0%) 10,11,24–27,30,31,33,37,38 . All studies for this outcome were in the setting of AF.…”

“…Nineteen studies with a total sample size of 2186 patients were included in the main analysis, encompassing patients with any form of atrial or ventricular arrhythmia undergoing catheter ablation (see Table S2 for individual study details) 10,22–38 . The characteristics of the included studies are summarized in Table 1.…”

“…Data for procedure time were available from 14 studies, with significant heterogeneity among studies (I 2 = 86%) and no evidence of publication bias or small study effects 10,11,24–31,33,35,37,38 . A significant decrease in procedure time was associated with ablation procedures using ICE vs those without (Hedges' g −0.35; 95% CI −0.64 to −0.05; P = .02) (Figure 3B).…”