22 Feb Factors That Expose Cardiologists To More Radiation During Procedures Outlined
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Sciahbasi
Alessandro Sciahbasi, MD, PhD
Sandro Pertini Hospital
Rome, Italy
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Radiation exposure is an important issue for interventional cardiologists due to the deterministic and stochastic risks for operators, staff and patients. Consequently, it is important to know which are the determinants of operator radiation exposure during percutaneous coronary procedures in order to reduce radiation exposure. Despite different studies have already evaluated the radiation dose during percutaneous coronary procedures, most data were obtained using an indirect measure of the operator dose expressed in term of fluoroscopy time or dose area product (DAP) and only in a minority of studies dedicated operator dosimeters were used. The aim of our study was to evaluate operator radiation exposure during percutaneous coronary procedures with dedicated electronic dosimeters in a high volume center for transradial procedures.
MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?
Response: In our study, despite the high experience with transradial access, the use of transfemoral access was associated with lower operator radiation exposure compared to transradial access. Moreover, important predictors of lower operator exposure were the use of adjunctive pelvic drapes placed over the patient, low frame rates and right angulations of the radiation tube. An important role was played by the angiographic system employed with non-dedicated angiographic systems associated with a significant higher operator exposure compared to dedicated system for coronary procedures.
Finally, the operator height was extremely important in terms of radiation dose: the shorter the operator the higher the dose.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: Interventional cardiologists should be aware that transradial approach is associated with a slight but significant increase in operator radiation exposure. Consequently, operators should pose particular attention to limit their radiation exposure. A simple and easy way is the use of adjunctive protective pelvic drapes placed over the patient. With the use of these drapes operator radiation exposure can be reduced even to lower doses compared to transfemoral access
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Response: Probably in the future the use of alternative imaging guidance during interventional procedures should be further investigated in order to obtain a significant reduction in operator radiation exposure .
MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.
Citation:
Determinants of operator radiation exposure during percutaneous coronary procedures
Sciahbasi, Alessandro et al.
American Heart Journal , Volume 0 , Issue 0 ,
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ahj.2017.02.012
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Last Updated on February 23, 2017 by Marie Benz MD FAAD