Vigilancia de efectos adversos provocados por medicamentos y técnicas de medicina natural en la población pediátrica / Surveillance of adverse effects caused by drugs and natural medicine techniques in the pediatric population

Los niños deben ser tratados con fármacos que hayan sido apropiadamente evaluados para su uso, aun así, la prescripción de medicamentos puede provocar efectos adversos. Con el objetivo de caracterizar las reacciones adversas por medicamentos y técnicas de medicina natural en menores de 15 años de edad, se analizaron las notificaciones recibidas y procesadas por la Unidad Coordinadora Nacional de Farmacovigilancia en el 2004. Hubo 932 reportes, en recién nacidos solo 11 notificaciones (1,2 por ciento). La mayor cantidad lo aportó la atención primaria de salud (79,8 por ciento), y los médicos con 74,2 por ciento Fue el grupo J (antibióticos sistémicos) el más reportado (65,2 por ciento); la piel el órgano más afectado; predominaron según la clasificación de Rawlins y Thompson las tipo B con 80,2 por ciento; probables el 82,8 por ciento; moderadas y leves el 97,2 por ciento; graves 2,6 por ciento; mortales 0,2 por ciento y raras el 24,7 por ciento. Seguir las reacciones adversas a medicamentos en los niños permite detectar riesgos evitables en esta población.

Children should be treated with drugs that have been appropriately evaluated for their use, even though, the prescription of drugs may cause adverse effects. In order to characterize the adverse reactions by drugs and natural medicine techniques in children under 15, the notifications received and processed by the National Coordinating Pharmacovigilance Unit in 2004, were analyzed. There were 932 reports, and only 11 notifications in newborn infants (1.2 percent). The greatest number came from the primary health care level (79.8), and from physicians (74.2percent ). The group J (systemic antibiotics) was the most reported (65.2 percent); the skin was the most affected body system. According to Rawlins and Thompson's classification it was observed a predominance of type B reactions with 80.2percent ; probable, 82.8percent ; moderate and mild, 97.2 percent; severe, 2.6 percent; mortal, 0.2 percent; and rare, 24.7 percent. Following the adverse reactions in children allow to detect preventable risks in this population.

Estudio comparativo de fracturas diafisiarias de fémur tratadas con clavos elásticos tipo ten y fijador externo monoplanar en niños y adolescentes menores: Hospital Central de Maracay agosto 2005-2006 / Study comparative of fractures femur diafisiarias tried with nails elastic type you have and fixer external monoplanar in children and smaller adolescents: Hospital Central de Maracay august 2005-2006

Estudio comparativo entre clavo elástico de titanio (ten y fijador externo monoplamar en pacientes pediátricos, tratados en el servicio de traumatología del Hospital Central de Maracay con fracturas diafisiarias de fémur. Agosto 2005-2006. Trabajo de tipo descriptivo, longitudinal, retrospectivo, prospectivo y comparativo. La muestra quedó conformada por 16 pacientes que responden a los criterios de inclusión. La técnica de recolección de datos fue la observación y el instrumento un registro de información. Análisis cuantitativo, mediante frecuencias y porcentajes; análisis de varianza (ANO-VA), con un elevado nivel significativo (p>0.01), lo que indicó que la probabilidad de que la diferencia en los resultados de ambas técnicas sea apenas perceptible, es muy alta. Es posible definir la superioridad de una técnica sobre la otra y así, queda a criterio del traumatólogo la selección de la técnica a utilizar.

Marcadores hemostáticos y de inflamación en síndromes coronarios agudos y su asociación con eventos cardiovasculares adversos / Haemostatic and inflammation markers in acute coronary syndromes and its relationship with adverse cardiovascular events

BACKGROUND: In acute coronary syndromes (ACS) interaction among several haemostatic (S and C protein, antitrhombin Ill, C protein resistance, plasminogen, alpha 2-antiplasmi and inflammatory factors (white cell blood count, fibrinogen, reactive C protein) could have association with recurrent thrombosis and recurrence ischemia, reinfarction, shock and cardiovascular mortality. METHODS: Prospective, controlled, with a six-year follow-up trial. END-POINT: Prove in acute phase and in a follow-up association among inflammatory, coagulation and fibrinolysis markers with cardiovascular adverse events. INCLUSION: a) ischemic chest pain at rest > 20 minutes with ST depression or elevation ACS, b) clinical stability. EXCLUSION: a) > 75 years-old, b) ACS secondary stress, hypertensive crisis, aortic stenosis, c) another acute vascular syndromes suggesting acute ischemia, d) Killip and Kimbal III o IV, e) ejection fraction < 35%, f) pre-hospital treatment with any medication that modify coagulation or fibrinolysis, c) inflammatory acute or chronic process. CONTROL GROUPS: Healthy individuals and stable chronic heart disease patients whose were matched by age and sex. In all patients with ischemic heart disease angiography, nuclear medicine or echocardiography stress tests were done. STATISTICS: Chi square, student t-test. Lineal, logistic and multivariate regression. Kaplan-Meier and Cox survival curves. Statistical significance: p < 0.05. RESULTS: 50 patients with non- or ST elevation ACS were enrolled. Regression logistic analysis indicated association among plasminogen, antithrombin III and C reactive-protein (p < 0.00001) with death. Protein C and S, protein C resistance and antithrombin III had correlation with death (p 0.0001) and recurrent ischemia (p < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed that antithrombin III, plasminogen, C reactive-protein and fibrinogen had significant correlation with death (p 0.001), cardiogenic shock (0.001), new ST-elevation myocardial infarction (0.001). CONCLUSION: These findings suggesting that in acute phase and in a follow-up of an ACS abnormal coagulation, inflammation and fibrinolysis markers had independent and direct relationship with cardiovascular adverse events.

Marcadores en la estratificación de los síndromes coronarios agudos / Risk marker stratification in coronary acute syndromes

Acute coronary syndromes have a heterogeneous clinical presentation with a broad spectrum for mortality and adverse events. It is mandatory to identify high risk groups for percutaneous coronary intervention and intensive antithrombotic treatment or common risk for standard treatment. In contemporaneous medicine it is important to get adequate risk stratification because the impact of hospitalary costs, antithrombotic and reperfusion treatment on health systems. The current pathophysiology of atherosclerosis is moving from a disease secondary to cholesterol deposit, to an inflammatory disease. In the stratification process, familiar history, chest pain, ST dynamic abnormalities, left ventricular wall motion abnormalities, all have predictive value. The association of indirect endothelial dysfunction, micro or macronecrosis and ventricular dysfunction markers increase this value. In our experience a close relationship among abnormal fibrinolysis, inflammation and anticoagulation proteins with adverse events has been proved in acute coronary syndromes. Other interesting finding--for it accessibility--in acute myocardial infarction under coronary percutaneous intervention is persistent ST elevation, leukocytes and fibrinogen predictive value. In population allelic polymorphisms -455A and -148T and fibrinogen ( >450 mg/dL) were associated with coronary disease. These polymorphisms improve risk stratification of coronary disease to establish a better secondary prevention and treatment.

Leucocitosis y su asociación con eventos cardiovasculares adversos en sujetos con infarto y elevación de ST sometidos a intervención coronaria percutánea / Leucocytosis associated with higher incidence of adverse cardiovascular events in myocardial infarcts

En la fase aguda de un infarto miocárdico los leucocitos se han relacionado con eventos cardiovasculares mayores adversos, (ECMA) esta asociación en pacientes llevados a reperfusión mecánica no se ha determinado con exactitud. Se estudió prospectivamente si existe asociación entre reperfusión mecánica, leucocitos y ECMA. En 5 años se ingresaron 271 pacientes con infarto agudo; 93 con < 10,000/µL leucocitos (8,300 ± 1,254/µL) y 178 tuvieron > 10,000/µL (13,810 + 3,192/µL, p 0.0001). No se observó diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre ambos grupos en las variables demográficas. El grupo con leucocitosis tuvo la mayor incidencia de flujo TIM I 0 - 1, (89% vs 75%, p 0.004) y ECMA hospitalarios (32% vs 14%, p 0.001) y en el seguimiento (5% vs 2%, p 0.04). La regresión logística que incluyó: edad > 60 años, diabetes, infarto anterior o inferior extenso, flujo TIMI (0, 1 y 2), choque cardiogénico, leucocitosis y neutrofilia tuvo mayor relación con mortalidad (p = 0.0007, RM 1.40, IC 95% 0.410-4.841). La regresión múltiple con leucocitosis y neutrofilia tuvo la correlación más fuerte para ECMA (mortalidad, r = 0.34 y choque, r = 0.27) y flujo TIMI basal subóptimo (r = 0.20). Conclusión: Los resultados establecen una asociación entre leucocitosis, trombosis y EMCA y extienden este conocimiento a la fase aguda y en el seguimiento de un infarto con elevación del ST llevado a ICP Estos hallazgos podrían considerarse como una evidencia más de la interacción entre disfunción endotelial (inflamación-aterotrombosis) y enfermedad cardiovascular.

In acute phase leukocytes has been related with higher incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events, (MACE) this evidence in AMI ST elevation after mechanical reperfusion is poor. We study prospectively this group to relationship among mechanical reperfusion, leukocytes and MACE. Two groups were considered < 10,000/µL or > 10,000/µL; 271 patients had full inclusion criteria in a 5 year period; 93 had < 10,000/µL leukocytes. (8,300 ±1,254/µL) and 178 > 10,000/µL (13,810 + 3,192/µL, p 0.0001). We did not observe any difference between both groups regarding demographic characteristics. At beginning leukocytosis group had higher flow TIMI 0 - 1 incidence (89% vs 75%, p 0.004) and in - hospital major cardiovascular adverse events (32% vs 14%, p 0.001) and in follow- up (5% vs 2%, p 0.04). Logistic regression model include > 60 years - old, diabetes, extensive anterior or inferior infarction, TIMI flow 0, 1, or 2, cardiogenic shock, leukocytosis and neuthrophilia, had close relationship with mortality (p = 0.0007, RM 1.40, IC 95% 0.410 -4.841). Multiple regression that include leukocytosis and neuthrophlia had stronger correlation with major cardiovascular adverse events (mortality, r = 0.34 and cardiogenic shock, r = 0.27) and abnormal TIMI flow (r = 0.20). Conclusion: Our results confirm close relationship among leukocitosis, thrombosis and major cardiovascular adverse events and extend this knowledge to acute phase and follow- up in acute myocardial infarction ST elevation under percutaneous coronary intervention. These results could be considered as evidence that connecting between endotelial dysfunction (inflammation-atherothrombosis) and cardiovascular disease.

Rendimiento del SPECT talio 201: reposo redistribución para predecir viabilidad post infarto reciente del miocardio / Performance of thallium 201 rest redistribution SPECT to predict viability in recent myocardial infarction

Background: The detection of viability after acute myocardial infarction is primordial to select the most appropriate therapy, to decrease cardiac events and abnormal remodeling. Thallium201 SPECT is one of the radionuclide techniques used to detect viability. Aim: To evaluate the use of Thallium201 rest-redistribution SPECT to detect myocardial viability in reperfused patients after a recent myocardial infarction. Patients and methods: Forty one patients with up to of 24 days of evolution of a myocardial infarction were studied. All had angiographically demonstrated coronary artery disease and were subjected to a successful thrombolysis, angioplasty or bypass grafting. SPECT Thallium201 images were acquired at rest and after 4 h of redistribution. These results were compared with variations in wall motion score, studied at baseline and after 3 or 4 months with echocardiography. Results: The sensitivity of rest-redistribution Thallium201 SPECT, to predict recovery of wall motion was 91 percent when patient analysis was performed and 79 percent when segmental analysis was done in the culprit region. The figures for specificity were 56 and 73 percent respectively. Conclusions: Rest-distribution Thallium201 SPECT has an excellent sensitivity to predict myocardial viability in recent myocardial infarction. The data obtained in this study is similar to that reported for chronic coronary artery disease

Captación miocárdica de pirofosfato en amiloidosis cardíaca: caso clínico / Myocardial pyrophosphate uptake in cardiac amyloidosis: clinical case

We report a previously healthy 73 years old woman, who was hospitalised with increasing dyspnea and signs of congestive heart failure. Echocardiography showed a normal left ventricular cavity with increased echogenicity of its walls and severe pulmonary hypertension. A lung ventilation/perfusion scintigraphy concluded that there was a low probability for pulmonary embolism. Coronary angiography was normal. A restrictive cardiomyopathy due to amyloid deposits was suspected. Myocardial pyrophosphate scintigraphy showed intense pyrophosphate uptake in the left ventricle wall. An abdominal fat tissue biopsy was positive for amyloid deposits

Estudio comparativo de la angioplastia coronaria en pacientes con diabetes: resultados clínicos y angiográficos inmediatos y evolución clínica en el primer año / Comparative study of coronary angioplasty in diabetic patients: clinical and angiographic results and clinical evolution at 1 year of follow up

Background: The success of revascularization procedures for coronary artery disease could be lower in diabetic patients. Aim: To report the results of coronary angioplasty in diabetic and non diabetic patients. Patients and methods: All angioplasty procedures performed between 1996 and 1999 were recorded. Demographic data, procedure details, hospital outcome and evolution at one year of follow up were analyzed. Results: During the study period, 358 patients were treated; of these, 79 were diabetics. Despite the greater severity of coronary lesions among diabetic patients the clinical success of the procedure was 92.4 percent in diabetics and 91.8 percent in non diabetics. Hospital mortality was 1.3 pecent in diabetics and 0.7 percent in non diabetics. Major complications occurred in 3.8 percent of diabetics and 3.2 percent in non diabetics. One year survival was 95.9 percent for diabetics and 98 percent in non diabetics. There were five late cardiac deaths among non diabetics and 3 among diabetics during the year of follow up. The frequency of new revascularization procedures was 4.3 percent in diabetics and 8.3 percent in non diabetics. Event-free survival was 95.6 percent in diabetics and 89.2 percent in non diabetics. Conclusions: Results of angioplasty were similar in diabetic and non diabetic patients in terms of hospital outcome and late follow-up

Infarto agudo del miocardio por oclusión total del tronco común de arteria coronaria izquierda tratado con revascularización percutánea endoluminal: caso clínico / Acute myocardial infarction caused by total occlusion of the left main coronary artery treated with percutaneous endoluminal revascularization: report of case

We report a 43 years old female who developed an intense precordial pain and arterial hypotension. The patient was admitted to the emergency room in cardiogenic shock. An emergency angiography revealed a total occlusion of the left main coronary artery. An endoluminal coronary angioplasty with the placement of two stents was performed and coronary reperfusion TIMI III was achieved. The patient had a good evolution and one month later, a surgical revascularization was done, to avoid new occlusions. She was discharged in good conditions and in functional capacity I

La clasificación de lesiones coronarias de la Society for Cardiac Angiography and Interventions, predice mejor el éxito de la angioplastía coronaria que la del American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association / Prediction of coronary angioplasty success using different coronary artery lesion scores

Background. The classification of coronary lesion complexity, using the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) is a predictor of balloon angioplasty success. Stents have improved results even in complex lesions. Aim. To compare the ACC/ AHA and the new Society for Cardiac Angiography (SCA&I) coronary lesion scores as predictors of angioplasty success. Patients and Methods. Al' consecutive angioplasty procedures (n=346, 456 lesions, 47 per cent stents) were prospectively analized from August 1996 to March 1999. Coronary lesions were classified using the ACC/AHA and SCA&I scores. Angiographic success was assesed and its multivariate predictors determined with logistic regression analysis. Results. According to the ACC/AHA score, angiographic success was 97, 92.7, 93.3, and 82.3 per cent in A, Bl, B2 and C lesions respectively (p=0.013). There only were significant differences in success between C and A, Bl or B2 lesions. According to the SCA&I score success was achieved in 97.3, 97.9, 75.8 and 33.3 per cent in nonCP, CP, nonCO and CO lesions respectively (P<0.001). With the SCA&I score statistically significant differences in angiographic success were found for all lesion score comparisons, except between nonCP and CP lesions. No other variables had predictive value for angiographic success. Conclusions. Coronary angioplasty angiographic success is better predicted by the new SCA&l lesion score than with the ACC/AHA lesion clasification in a group of patiens with frequent use of stents

Tomografía SPECT con F18 fluorodeoxiglucosa en infarto reciente del miocardio: caso clínico / Fluorodexyglucose SPECT in recent myocardial infarction: clinical case

We report a 50-year-old woman with a recent myocardial infarction in whom a myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with Thallium201 was done simultaneously with a F18-fluordeoxyglucose (FDG) SPECT to study glucose metabolism. Myocardial infarction was located in the anteroseptal and apical regions and an echocardiography, done at the second day of evolution, showed a septo-apical hypokinesia. On the tenth day, a coronary angiography showed a critical lesion of the anterior descending coronary artery and an angioplasty with stent placement was performed on the next day. On the twelfth day, a resting, redistribution 201Tl SPECT to study viability and a FDG-SPECT with a dual head high-energy collimator camera were done. Images, acquired 45 min after injection, were analyzed visually. In anterior and medial apical sectors, discordance between flux and metabolism, considered a classical mismatch, was observed. Echocardiographic hypokinesia disappeared three month after revascularization

Radiación ionizante secundaria generada en equipos de cineangiografía coronaria digital y analógica: influencia de los sistemas externos de protección radiológica / Secondary ionizing radiation generated by analog and digital coronary cineangiographic equipment: influence of external protection devices

Background: Exposure to ionizing radiation is a known hazard of radiological procedures. Aim: To compare the emission of secondary ionizing radiation from two coronary angiographic equipments, one with digital and the other with analog image generation. To evaluate the effectiveness of external radiological protection devices. Material and methods: Environmental and fluoroscopy generated radiation in the cephalic region of the patient was measured during diagnostic coronary angiographies. Ionizing radiation generated in anterior left oblique projection (ALO) and in anterior right oblique projection (ARO) were measured with and without leaded protections. In 19 patients (group 1), a digital equipment was used and in 21 (group 2), an analog equipment. Results: Header radiation for groups 1 and 2 was 1194 ñ 337 and 364 ñ 222 µGray/h respectively (p<0.001). During fluoroscopy and with leaded protection generated radiation for groups 1 and 2 was 612 ñ 947 and 70 ñ 61 µGray/h respectively (p<0.001). For ALO projection, generated radiation for groups 1 and 2 was 105 ñ 47 and 71 ñ 192 µGray/h respectively (p<0.001). During filming the radiation for ALO projection for groups 1 and 2 was 7252 ñ 9569 and 1671 ñ 2038 µGray/h respectively (p = 0.03). Out of the protection zone, registered radiation during fluoroscopy for groups 1 and 2 was 2800 ñ 1741 and 1318 ñ 954 µGray/h respectively (p < 0.001); during filming, the figures were 15500 ñ 5840 and 18961 ñ 10599 µGray/h respectively (NS). Conclusions: Digital radiological equipment has a lower level of ionizing radiation emission than the analog equipment

Caso de interés: resultado preliminar de proyecto Fondecyt F 18 flúordeoxiglucosa SPECT para evaluación de miocardio atontado y viabilidad en el infarto reciente / Preliminary results of FONDECYT project F18 fludeoxyglucose SPECT for stunnig myocardial evaluation and infarction viability

Es sabido que la primera causa de muerte en nuestro país es de origen cardiovascular, siendo el infarto agudo una de sus manifestaciones. Se ha demostrado que la presencia de viabilidad miocárdica en la zona infartada, se asocia a un mayor número de eventos coronarios, que disminuyen si se revasculariza, por otro lado la revascularización disminuye la remodelación y la dilatación ventricular izquierda. Entre las técnicas que más han evaluado la viabilidad miocárdica están: el PET F18 FDG. SPECT TI 201 reposo-redistribución y ecocardiografía con dobutamina. Son escasos los estudio que han evaluado viabilidad en el infarto reciente y en consideración a que en Chile no se ha desarrollado el estudio con positrones (PET o SPECT), se presentó un proyecto Fondecyt multiinstitucional, con el fin de implementar esta técnica. Se estudiaron un grupo de 60 pacientes con infarto agudo (con o sin revascularización precoz), con anatomía conocida (coronariografía), correlacionándola con el estudio clásico de Talio reposo-redistribución, evaluando cual de las dos técnicas puede predecir mejor la viabilidad, se considero como gold standar de tejido viable, la recuperación de la motilidad por ecocardiografía al 3er mes post infarto. En la siguiente presentación se muestran los resultados preliminares y un ejemplo de viabilidad en un infarto de un paciente de 23 años

Angioplastía en infarto agudo de miocardio: resultado inicial y seguimiento alejado / Angioplasty in acute myocardial infarction: early and late results

Background: The usefulness of angioplasty in the first hours of an acute myocardial infarction is widely demonstrated. However, its long term effects are less well known. Aim: To report the effects of coronary angioplasty on early and late outcome of patients with acute myocardial infarction. Patients and methods: A non-randomized, consecutive and retrospective analysis of the hospital and late outcome of 70 patients, aged 35 to 85 years, subjected to coronary angioplasty during an acute myocardial infarction. Patients were followed during 12 to 60 months. Results: Angioplasty was performed 5.3 ñ 5 hours after the initial symptoms. Anterior descendent artery was occluded in 63 percent of patients with a 99.5 percent luminal occlusion and TIMI 0-1 anterograde flow. An angiographic success was achieved in 83 percent of procedures with a residual stenosis of 32.3 percent. Recurrent ischemia was observed in 6 percent of patients, that were treated with a new revascularization procedure. Thirteen percent of patients died, all due to cardiogenic shock. Severe ventricular failure and failure of revascularization influenced mortality. During the first year of follow up there was a 3.3 percent mortality and 3.3 percent of patients required a new revascularization procedure. Eighty percent of patients were asymptomatic and event-free. Conclusion: Angioplasty was a useful therapeutic procedure in this group of patients

Implante de prótesis endovasculares (stents) en el tratamiento de la cardiopatía coronaria: resultados angiográficos, clínicos inmediatos y tardíos / Endovascular stent placing in the treatment of coronary artery disease: angiographic, immediate and late clinical results

Background: Coronary revascularization allows a better survival and quality of life in high risk patients with coronary artery disease. Aim: To report the experience in stent placement as treatment for obstructive atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. Patients and methods: A prospective analysis of 105 stent placements. A morphological and quantitative analysis of coronary angiograms, using an electronic caliper, was performed. Patients were followed during their hospital stay and after discharge. Results: In four of 112 coronary lesions, it was not possible to liberate the stent and in 108, it was successfully placed (48 in anterior descending, 19 in circumflex, 36 in right coronary arteries and 5 in saphenous aortocoronary by-pass. Lesions with stent implantation were type A in 11 percent, B1 in 30 percent, B2 in 44 percent and C in 15 percent. Reference diameter was 3.13 ñ 0.58 mm. After placement, luminal diameter increased from 0 95 ñ 0.43 to 2.99 ñ 0.46 mm, with a final stenosis of 7.2 ñ 10.1 percent. Angiographic success was obtained in 99 percent and procedure success in 98 percent. Hospital mortality was 0.98 percent. After a mean of eight months follow up, 91 percent of patients is free of major cardiac events. In 17 percent angina recurred and 5 percent required a new revascularization. There were no late cardiac deaths, acute stent thrombosis or infarction in relation to the treated lesion. Conclusions: In these patients, stent placement has had excellent immediate and late results

Impacto de la radiación secundaria en el operador durante la arteriografía coronaria selectiva / Secondary irradiation of operators during coronary arteriography

Background: The activity over cellular genetic pattern of ionizing radiation can produce stochastic and unspecific damages. Interventional cardiology operators have increasing exposure times to ionizing radiation and there is no information about the real protection conferred by simple radiological protection devices. Aim: To assess the magnitude of secondary ionizing radiation exposure of operators during conventional coronary arteriography, evaluating the radiation exposure during different beam projections and the usefulness of leaded aprons. Material and methods: Ionizing radiation received by operators during coronary arteriography was measured using a Geiger-Müller Victoreen model 490 counter. The device was placed in the ventral region, covered by the leaded apron and in the unprotected dorsal region. Radiation was measured in right and left projections during fluoroscopy and shooting. Results: In right projection, the intensity of ionizing radiation in ventral and dorsal regions was 1.24 ñ 1.1 and 2.9 ñ 4 mR/h respectively (p= 0.08). In left projection, the figures were 2.95 ñ 3 and 7.86 ñ 7.2 mR/h respectively (p= 0.001). During shooting in left projection the radiation exposure in ventral and dorsal regions was 9.66 ñ 6.7 and 32.8 ñ 27 mR/h respectively (p< 0.001). During shooting in right projection that figures were 10.1 ñ 16 and 20.7 ñ 39.8 mR/h respectively (p= 0.09). No correlation between radiation exposure and patients surface area was observed. Conclusions: Secondary radiation received by operators is higher during shooting and in left projections. Leaded apron confers a partial protection for ventral region, and great fluctuations in the magnitude of radiation exposure were recorded. Unprotected dorsal region receives a greater amount of radiation in left projections