Patient Safety and Radiation Management Flashcards

Cardiac tamponade during an EP procedure is recognized by which constellation of findings?

Answer: Hypotension, elevated venous pressure, and equalized diastolic pressures

Tamponade produces Beck's triad of hypotension, elevated jugular venous pressure, and muffled heart sounds, with equalization of diastolic pressures across cardiac chambers.

Why is systemic heparin anticoagulation routinely administered during left-sided EP procedures?

Answer: To prevent thromboembolism from catheter and sheath surfaces in the left heart

Heparin prevents thrombus formation on intracardiac catheters and sheaths within the left heart, reducing the risk of systemic thromboembolism and stroke.

Air embolism during EP procedures is prevented primarily by?

Answer: Careful flushing and de-airing of all sheaths and catheters before insertion

Thoroughly flushing and de-airing all intravascular sheaths, introducers, and catheters with saline before insertion prevents air from entering the vasculature.

The 'safe zone' for femoral vascular access lies?

Answer: Below the inguinal ligament where the common femoral vessels are accessible

The common femoral artery and vein should be accessed below the inguinal ligament to avoid the external iliac vessels and reduce retroperitoneal hematoma risk.

Vascular closure devices (VCDs) after EP procedures are primarily used to?

Answer: Achieve hemostasis with reduced manual compression time

Vascular closure devices seal the arterial or venous puncture site using collagen plugs, sutures, or clips, significantly reducing manual compression time and patient discomfort.

Post-procedure pseudoaneurysm formation at the femoral access site is most commonly associated with?

Answer: Arterial access with inadequate hemostasis or high puncture

Pseudoaneurysms form when inadequate sealing of an arterial puncture allows persistent blood flow into surrounding tissues, most common after arterial access with poor compression.