Radiation Exposure of Operators Performing Transesophageal Echocardiography During Percutaneous Structural Cardiac Interventions

Structural Heart Interventional Imagers - The New Face of Cardiac Imaging

“…Both publications 4 , 5 confirm that the SHD imager can be subject to very high levels of radiation exposure in structural cases.…”

“…Although the issue of radiation exposure was not adequately studied until relatively recently, 4 , 5 it certainly represents one of the most important job hazards for the SHD imager. Both publications 4 , 5 confirm that the SHD imager can be subject to very high levels of radiation exposure in structural cases.…”

“…At present time, a number of simple measures, such as the use of protective lead apron, portable ceiling-suspended lead shield and distancing from the X-ray source, can provide important strategies to minimize exposure and the potential risk associated with it. 5 , 6 …”

SCAI Multi-Society Position Statement on Occupational Health Hazards of the Catheterization Laboratory: Shifting the Paradigm for Healthcare Workers' Protection

“…27 Recent studies have also suggested that occupational radiation exposure is associated with hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and possibly atherosclerosis. [28][29][30] Evidence of lengthening sarcomere length and early vascular aging in epidemiologic studies suggests that workers who are occupationally exposed to radiation during interventional procedures may be at increased risk to develop these same illnesses. 30,31…”

“…Importantly, all such issues also pertain to the other personnel who are essential members of the "interventional team" (e.g., nurses and technologists, interventional imagers, and cardiac anesthesiologists) who are exposed to the harmful effects of scattered ionizing radiation. [30][31][32][33] Electrophysiologists and their team are also exposed to radiologic risks and orthopedic injury 34 and perhaps even more so, given the duration of their procedures and lack of upper torso shielding during device cases (e.g., implantable defibrillators and cardiac resynchronization therapy).…”