Background. Percutaneous coronary intervention exposes patient and staff to ionizing radiation. Although staff only receive a small fraction of patient dose through scatter radiation, there are concerns about the potential health effects of repeated exposure. Minimizing both patient and occupational exposure is needed. Objective. This article investigates patient and operator X-ray exposure over time in coronary intervention in relation to upgraded X-ray equipment, improved shielding, and enhanced operator awareness. Materials and Methods. Data regarding irradiation time, patient dose, and patient characteristics were extracted from the Norwegian Registry for Invasive Cardiology (NORIC) for procedures performed from 2013 to mid-2019. Personal operator dosimetry records were provided by the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority. Improved operator shielding and awareness measures were introduced in 2018. Results. In the period 2013 through June 2019, 21499 procedures were recorded in our institution. Mean dose area product (DAP) for coronary angiography decreased 37% from 2981 μGy·m2 in 2013 to 1891 μGy·m2 in 2019 (p<0.001). For coronary intervention, DAP decreased 39% from 8358 μGy·m2 to 5055 μGy·m2. Personal dosimetry data indicate a 70% reduction in operator dose per procedure in 2019 compared to 2013. The most pronounced reduction occurred after improved radiation protection measures were implemented in 2018 (−48%). Conclusions. This study shows a temporal trend towards considerable reduction in X-ray doses received by the patient and operator during cardiac catheterization. Upgraded X-ray equipment, improved shielding, and enhanced operator awareness are likely contributors to this development.
BackgroundIn hereditary spherocytosis with severe anemia, splenectomy is a recommended treatment. However, the spleen carries an important role both in immune function and coagulation. The increased risk of bacterial infections associated with splenectomy is well known. Recently, hypercoagulation disorders have also been linked to splenectomy through loss of regulation of platelet activity, loss of filtering function and post-splenectomy thrombocytosis.Case presentationA 28 year-old smoking women who had previously undergone splenectomy due to hereditary spherocytosis with a moderate thrombocytosis (platelet count 553–635*109/L), presented with recurrent episodes of pulmonary embolisms. Further examination by multimodality cardiac imaging demonstrated a giant chronic thrombus in the right ventricular outflow tract, which eventually had to be surgically removed.ConclusionsThe present case highlights the increased risk of severe thromboembolic complications following therapeutic splenectomy in hereditary spherocytosis, and emphasis the important role of multimodality cardiac imaging in recurrent pulmonary embolism, diagnosing a giant chronic thrombus in the right ventricular outflow tract.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12959-016-0083-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Background There is increasing concern and focus in the interventional cardiology community on potential long term health issues related to radiation exposure and heavy wearable protection. Optimized shielding measures may reduce operator dose to levels where lighter radioprotective garments can safely be used, or even omitted. X-ray blankets (XRB) are commercially available but suffer from small size and lack of stability. A larger XRB may reduce operator dose but could hamper vascular access and visualization. The aim of this study is to assess shielding effect of an optimized XRB during cardiac catheterization and estimate the potential reduction in annual operator dose based on DICOM Radiation Dose Structured Report (RDSR) data reflecting everyday clinical practice. Methods Data accumulated from 7681 procedures over three years in our RDSR repository was used to identify projection angles and radiation doses during cardiac catheterization. Using an anthropomorphic phantom and a scatter radiation detector, radiation dose to the operator (mSv) and patient (dose area product—DAP) was measured for each angiographic projection for three different shielding setups. Relative operator dose (mSv/DAP) was calculated and multiplied by DAP per projection to estimate effect on operator dose. Results Adding an optimized XRB to a standard shielding setup comprising a table- and ceiling-mounted shield resulted in a 94.9% reduction in estimated operator dose. The largest shielding effect was observed in left and cranial projections where the ceiling-mounted shield offered less protection. Conclusions An optimized XRB is a simple shielding measure that has the potential to reduce operator dose.
Background There is increasing concern and focus in the interventional cardiology community on potential long term health issues related to radiation exposure and heavy wearable protection. Optimized shielding measures may reduce operator dose to levels where lighter radioprotective garments can safely be used, or even omitted. X-ray blankets (XRB) are commercially available but suffer from small size and lack of stability. Purpose The aim of this study is to assess shielding effect of an optimized XRB during cardiac catheterization and estimate the potential reduction in annual operator dose based on DICOM Radiation Dose Structured Report (RDSR) data reflecting everyday clinical practice. Methods Data accumulated from 7681 procedures over three years in our RDSR repository was used to identify projection angles and radiation doses during cardiac catheterization. Using an anthropomorphic phantom and a scatter radiation detector, radiation dose to the operator (mSv) and patient (dose area product – DAP) was measured for each angiographic projection for three different shielding setups. Relative operator dose (mSv/DAP) was calculated and multiplied by DAP per projection to estimate effect on operator dose. Results Adding an optimized XRB to a standard shielding setup comprising a table- and ceiling-mounted shield resulted in a 94.9% reduction in estimated operator dose. The largest shielding effect was observed in left and cranial projections where the ceiling-mounted shield offered less protection. Conclusions An optimized XRB is a simple shielding measure that has the potential to reduce operator dose. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Grieg Foundation
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