Reduction of operator radiation exposure using a passive robotic device during fluoroscopy-guided arterial puncture: an experimental study in a swine model

BACKGROUND: Vascular interventions imply radiation exposure to the operating physician (OP). To reduce radiation exposure, we propose a novel passive robotic device for fluoroscopy-guided arterial puncturing. METHODS: X-ray dose rates were measured for a total of 30 fluoroscopy-guided puncture femoral arteries in 15 pigs. Fifteen punctures were performed with the device while the other 15 were performed without the device by an interventional cardiologist with 10 years of experience. Parametric t test was used. RESULTS: The success rate with the device was 100%. Overall, the OP received more radiation (0.41 mSv/h) as compared to the assistant (0.06 mSv/h) (p < 0.001) and, amongst OP’s body parts, hands received more radiation than other body parts (p < 0.001). The radiation dose rate to the OP’s hands during arterial puncturing performed manually without the device was 0.95 ± 0.25 mSv/h whereas it was 0.14 ± 0.006 mSv/h using the device, resulting in an 85% reduction (p < 0.001). For the head, the dose was reduced from 0.16 mSv/h to 0.08 mSv/h (50% reduction, p < 0.001), and for the dominant arm, from 0.12 mSv/h to 0.07 mSv/h (42% reduction, p < 0.001). The fluoroscopy time was reduced from 4.5 ± 0.15 min to 4.3 ± 0.11 min device (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: In a swine model, fluoroscopy time and radiation exposure for the OP puncturing femoral artery were significantly reduced by using the passive robotic device.