Radiation exposure of patient and physician during implantation and upgrade of cardiac resynchronization devices.

Background: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is often associated with extended fluoroscopic exposure during placement of the devices. The objective of this study was to measure the radiation exposure sustained by different parts of the body of patients and operators during fluoroscopically guided cardiac resynchronization device implantation.

Methods: Dosimetry data were prospectively recorded in a series of 104 consecutive patients, who underwent resynchronization device implantation or upgrade in our cardiac catheterization laboratory.