Catheterization and cardiovascular interventions : official journal of the Society for Cardiac Angiography & Interventions
-
Catheter Cardiovasc Interv · Jan 2006
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyRandomized comparison of operator radiation exposure during coronary angiography and intervention by radial or femoral approach.
Controversial data have been published on the amount of radiation exposure during radial coronary procedures. We hypothesized that in the current era, high-volume operators with optimal technique would not be exposed to higher radiation doses during radial procedures. A total of 297 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization (195 elective diagnostic coronary angiograms and 102 elective coronary interventions) were prospectively assigned in a random fashion to the radial access (RA) or femoral access (FA). ⋯ This study demonstrates that the radial approach is burdened with a 100% increase in operator radiation exposure during diagnostic coronary catheterization procedures and a 50% increase during coronary interventions, provided that no special devices for radiation protection are used. Measurements of radiation dose, such as fluoroscopy time and dose-area product, substantially underestimate the disproportionate rise in radiation exposure. Special precautions are warranted to improve radiation protection during invasive coronary procedures via the radial approach.
-
Catheter Cardiovasc Interv · Jan 2006
Editorial CommentAn alarm for radialists from its evangelist.