New data reveals that a small percentage of coronary interventions lead to disproportionately high radiation exposure for medical staff in catheterization labs. Cases that exceed the 90th percentile for radiation doses accounted for a significant share of cumulative radiation exposure among physicians and support staff. Specifically, these high-exposure cases contributed 51.3% to the cumulative dose of structural interventionalists, 39.9% for echocardiographers, 45.8% for scrub technologists, and 64.8% for nurse circulators. Most lower-exposure cases, defined as those below the 50th percentile, contributed only 5% of the cumulative dose. The findings highlight that emergency procedures, particularly STEMI cases, significantly increase radiation exposure risk. Ryan D. Madder, the study's lead author, emphasizes the need for enhanced awareness of radiation safety practices, especially under time pressure in emergencies. An editorial accompanying the study calls for real-time monitoring of radiation doses for operators and a more standardized approach to reduce exposure risks. In the study, STEMI cases had a sixfold higher likelihood of exceeding high radiation thresholds, suggesting that focusing on radiation safety even during urgent interventions is critical. Furthermore, the research indicates variations in radiation exposure based on procedure type and the operator's sex. The study concludes by advocating for better understanding and proactive measures to minimize radiation exposure for cath lab staff.
Tue, 27 Jan 2026 22:03:35 GMT | TCTMD.com