ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Trans-radial approach for cardiac catheterisation procedures has long been associated with high operator and patient radiation dose. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of pelvic and radial shields on decreasing coronary procedure radiation doses. METHODS: A total of 418 patients randomly underwent diagnostic and therapeutic cardiac procedures with and without the pelvic and rad-board lead shields during the procedures. The operator and patient doses were then determined by means of a personal dosimeter and dose area product (DAP), respectively. RESULTS: The shields decreased the operator radiation dose by 40% in coronary angiography (CA) and by 45% during angioplasty (PCI). These results were achieved at the cost of increased patient radiation dose. CONCLUSION: Pelvic lead shields combined with rad-board shields are highly effective in reducing operator radiation dose in trans-radial approach, but it is only achieved at the cost of increased patient DAP.
