Effective reduction of scatter radiation for operator and assistant during coronary procedures with a suspended radiation protection system in a per-procedure live-dosimetry analysis

Abstract Background Interventional cardiologists (IC) are exposed to the highest doses of radiation compared to all other medical specialties. Although head and eyes are exposed to a significant dose of scatter radiation (SCR), precise per-procedure data is sparse. Recently, the EU guidelines for maximum eye lens SCR doses have been reduced from 150 mSv to 20 mSv per year. A ceiling suspended operator radiation protection system has shown additional benefits for SCR protection in radiologic interventional procedures. Purpose To study the impact of the ZG system on IC and sterile assistant (SA) SCR exposure when used in addition to the current standard of X-ray protection (SXP) in unselected all-comers cardiologic procedures. Methods IC and SA were equipped with Unfors RaySafe i3 live-dosimeters at prespecified locations. 181 consecutive cardiac procedures were recorded, in which either both IC and SA were using SXP (lead apron, thyroid shield) or the IC was using the ZG system and the SA was wearing SXP. In all procedures a suspended lead shield, patient lead cover and an adjustable lead side-shield were present. Diagnostic angiographies (DA) and interventions (PCI) were grouped separately. Within both groups, the IC's and SA's SCR doses were compared. Results SCR doses were recorded in 100 DA and 81 PCI procedures. Compared to SXP, the use of the ZG device reduced the average SCR doses per procedure of the IC recorded at the left lateral head from 5.18±1.11 μSv to 0.60±0.07 μSv in DA (−88%; n=49/49, p