Jt. Sullebarger et al., Experience with a portable digital C-arm system for cardiac catheterization and intervention, J INTERV CA, 13(2), 2000, pp. 83-86
Recently, portable C-arm systems have been developed for cardiac studies. W
hile these systems have been used at a number of centers on a small scale f
or procedures in the operating room, emergency room, or intensive care unit
, there are no published data on theperformance of the system under more de
manding circumstances. Theoretically, a reliable portable C-arm system coul
d provide a low-cost alternative to a fixed system in centers with limited
resources, such as in developing countries. To test whether a portable C-ar
m system could substitute for a permanent laboratory for cardiac catheteriz
ation and interventional procedures, we used a C-arm system as our sole cat
heterization laboratory for a period of 3 months. The system's performance
was compared to a comparable time period using a fixed catheterization labo
ratory system. The portable system was used to perform 222 procedures (36 i
nterventional and 186 diagnostic) as compared to 236 procedures (30 interve
ntional and 206 diagnostic) with the fixed lab during a comparable time per
iod the preceding year: Although the image quality of the portable system w
as not as good as with the fixed laboratory, all procedures were performed
successfully, with no difference in fluoroscopic time, radiation exposure t
o the patient, procedure related complications, or clinical restenosis at 1
year. However, radiation exposure to staff was greater, possibly due to th
e lack of shielding in the temporary lab and the need for the technician to
remain close to the unit to set up views. Our results suggest that a porta
ble C-arm system, while subject to some limitations, can perform as a gener
al catheterization laboratory for diagnostic and interventional procedures.