Descripción de elementos de radioprotección y dosimetría en unidades de cardiología intervencionista sudamericanas: un estudio piloto / Radioprotection and dosimetry in Interventional cardiology units in South America. a pilot study

ANTECEDENTES: Las unidades de Cardiología intervencional han evidenciado un número creciente de procedimientos, cada vez más variados y complejos, lo cual podría eventualmente generar daños a los profesionales ocupacionalmente expuestos a radiaciones ionizantes (POEs) de no contar con los adecuados elementos de radioprotección y un uso correcto de ellos. OBJETIVO: Caracterizar la disponibilidad y utilización de los elementos de radioprotección y dosimetría de unidades de cardiología intervencionista de centros Sudamericanos. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó una encuesta autoaplicada a 139 POEs, de ambos sexos de 7 países, a través de una plataforma on-line, se les consultó sobre características demográficas, dosimétricas y de radioprotección. RESULTADOS: Los elementos de radioprotección más tradicionales; delantales y cuellos plomados se utilizaron un 99,5 % y 98,4 % respectivamente, aquellos elementos más recientes como gafas, gorros y paños plomados solo alcanzaron un 36,8 %, 6,8 % y 34,2%, de utilización respectivamente, en cuanto a la utilización de los dosímetros, solo un 7,9 % lo hace apegado a las normas de la Organización Internacional de Energía Atómica (OIEA). CONCLUSIÓN: Se constató en la muestra analizada una falta de elementos de radioprotección y un uso inadecuado de ellos, urge realizar intervenciones educativas y técnicas para mejorar estos datos.

BACKGROUND: Due to the increasing number of interventional cardiology procedures currently performed, health professionals (POE) are exposed to ionizing radiation unless adequate protective elements are used. AIM: to describe the use of radioprotection elements and dosimetry in interventional cardiology laboratories in South America. METHODS: A self-administered survey was performed on 139 POE of both sexes and 7 countries using an online platform. Demographic data, dosimetry and characteristics of radioprotection analyzed. RESULTS: Commonly used radioprotective elements (lead aprons and collars) were used in 99.5% and 98% respectively. Recently introduced protection elements like lead goggles, caps and drapery were used in 36.8, 6.8 and 34.2% , respectively. Dosimetry according to the International Atomic Energy Commission (OIAE) was performed in only 7.9% of the procedures. CONCLUSION: there is a severe lack of adequate radioprotection during interventional cardiology procedures. Urgent measures, including technical implementation and educational interventions are needed to improve radioprotection in interventional cardiology.

Utility of lead thyroid collar in cephalometric radiography.

Objective: To investigate whether the application of thyroid collars (TCs) affects the results of cephalometric study. Study Design: The Steiner cephalometric analysis of the patients was performed using lateral cephalometric radiographs, which were taken twice for each patient: Once using TCs (TC group; n0 = 50) and once without using TCs (NTC group; n = 50). A randomized and observer-blinded diagnostic study with head films taken from the two aforementioned groups was performed and results were evaluated with the t-test and Z-test, using GraphPad® Prism 4 software. Results : Statistical analysis using t-test was performed. The values of the line angles used in Steiner cephalometric analysis were compared for which values of each angle remained unchanged when done using TCs and without TC to the same samples. Conclusions : Lead shielding of the thyroid gland does not affect landmark identification or the specific measurements of the angulations traced during cephalometric analysis. TCs should be routinely applied during cephalometric radiography if cephalometric analyses are limited to the structures above the second cervical vertebra.