Dosimetric Reference Levels for Radioguided Interventional Procedures in Rhythmology.

Interventional radiology has become a widespread technique used in various fields of medicine to diagnose or treat numerous pathologies. However, the risk of X-rays must be taken into account.

To provide healthcare professionals with an optimization tool, the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) introduced the concept of diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) in 1997. For the first time, in 2019, the French Authority on Nuclear Safety published DRLs for radio-guided interventional practices for 10 interventional radiology procedures and 2 interventional cardiology procedures, based on studies published by the French Society of Medical Physics in collaboration with the French Society of Radiology and the French Coronary Artery Disease and Interventional Cardiology Group. Reference levels for interventional procedudures under CT guidance were also defined in 2020 following a national multicentre study coordinated by Nîmes University Hospital (NIMAO NRD-SI). However, no national multicentre studies have ever defined reference levels for radioguided interventional procedures in rhythmology. The aim of this study is to define standard national diagnostic reference levels for radioguided interventional procedures in rhythmology for the following acts:

• Insertion of a single-chamber pacemaker with lead (DELF 007 according to the common French classification for medical acts)

• Insertion of a dual-chamber pacemaker with lead (DELF 005 according to the common French classification for medical acts)

• Implantation of a multi-site pacemaker (DELF 001 and/or DELF 015 according to the common French classification for medical acts)

• Implantation of a single-chamber endovascular defibrillator (DELF 013 according to the common French classification for medical acts)

• Implantation of a dual-chamber endovascular defibrillator (DELF 015 according to the common French classification for medical acts)

• Placement of multi-site defibrillator (DELF 020 or DELF 014 according to the common French classification for medical acts)

• Typical Primary Atrial Flutter Ablation: Cavotricuspid Isthmus only (DEPF 012 according to the common French classification for medical acts)

• Primo Ablation tachycardia by intra nodal re-entry (DEPF 010 according to the common French classification for medical acts)

• Accessory pathway ablation (DEPF 005 according to the common French classification for medical acts)

• Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation ablation (4 pulmonary veins only, all technologies combined; DEPF 033 as per the common French classification for medical acts)

• Primo Ablation Persistent atrial fibrillation (4 pulmonary veins ± lines ± substrate; DEPF 033 ± DEPF 014 ± DENF 018 ± DEPF 012 according to the common French classification for medical acts) Secondaires objectives include the evaluation of interventional practices for each procedure performed regarding the use of a fixed or mobile C-arm, the make, model and year of installation of the equipment used, deviation at last external quality control between displayed and measured dose area product and, if available, between displayed and measured Kair, the lowest/highest scan rates used during the procedure, use of graphy,lowest/highest scan rate(s) used during procedures, use of collimation during procedures, use of a 3D mapping system, the type of technique used for an ablation procedure, if used, the use of a cage-type radiation protection system during the procedure, cone beam computed tomography performed during procedure, CT scan before the procedure, duration of the procedure and the experience of the operator performing the procedure.