New Method Cuts Radiation During Pacemaker Procedure: Study | WPN World People News

A new way of implanting pacemakers cuts radiation exposure for doctors and patients, German researchers report.

Using electromagnetic tracking -- which works something like GPS navigation -- rather than traditional radiation-based imaging may be a safer, faster way to implant cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) pacemakers, the scientists explained.

This is a novel technology that has been shown to enable navigation of devices on pre-recorded X-ray images, which allows the physician to reduce the duration of live X-ray during a procedure.

The ability to use pre-recorded X-ray images -- instead of live X-ray -- during a cardiac implant procedure reduces exposure to potentially harmful radiation.

This new technology has the potential to revolutionize the way we image inside the body while we perform a wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in the future.

CRT implantation, which paces both the left and right ventricles, is becoming more common for patients with severe congestive heart failure and other heart problems.

Currently, to view and manipulate the different tools that enable implantation of the left-sided lead in the patient's heart veins, physicians are forced to continuously use live X-ray imaging, exposing patients and themselves to potentially harmful amounts of X-ray. CRTs are implanted near the chest, and help the heart chambers beat more synchronously together and to pump blood more efficiently.

Electrical lead wires extend from the device to the patient's heart chambers, and these leads provide electrical stimulation to the right and left sides of the heart so that the two sides beat together, pumping blood to the rest of the body more easily.

The MediGuide system uses 3-D imaging to precisely navigate the catheter. "MediGuide, with the use of pre-recorded X-ray images, creates a real-time clinical environment that adjusts automatically for heart rate, respiratory motion and patient motion, and accurately tracks catheter position.

The average amount of time of X-ray exposure needed to implant a CRT is often more than 20 minutes. With the new tracking system, X-ray exposure averages just five minutes, the researchers found.

It is well known that increased radiation exposure can be very harmful to the patient, the physician and the staff, increasing the risk of developing various types of cancer.

For the study, the researchers used the new tracking system in 15 heart failure patients. In the procedure, X-ray imaging was used for the two device leads on the right side of the heart and the new tracking system was used to place the third lead, on the heart's left ventricle.

The study provides a glimpse into the future of biventricular device implantation. However, larger studies are needed to confirm the findings.

This technology being extended to additional cardiac procedures in the future, including coronary stent implantation as well as valve implantation. Both patients and surgeons alike will welcome technology to reduce radiation exposure as we continue to learn the ill effects of repetitive radiation exposure.

Source: U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services