Incorporating of an enhanced radiation protection device into the treatment of ST elevation myocardial infarctions: A single center retrospective analysis.

STUDY

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether incorporation of the EggNest Complete enhanced radiation protection device (ERPD) affects door-to-balloon (D2B) time in treatment of patients presenting with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

DESIGN

Single-center retrospective observational study.

SETTING

Catheterization laboratories in a tertiary care hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

133 consecutive patients presenting with STEMI (71 in the ERPD group, 62 in the standard shielding) group from July 1, 2024 until December 31, 2025.

INTERVENTIONS: Evaluation of D2B time components in rooms with ERPD vs standard shielding.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: D2B time (total time and time-based components).

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant difference in overall D2B times between groups (48.0 vs 52.0 min; p = 0.32) or it's individual components. Use of the EggNest Complete ERDP was not associated with D2B (β = 1.14, p = 0.88).

CONCLUSION

Use of the EggNest Complete ERPD does not delay STEMI reperfusion. These findings support a paradigm shift from operator-dependent shielding to integrated, system-level radiation protection, demonstrating that improvements in occupational safety for cath lab workers can be achieved without tradeoffs in the timeliness of life-saving reperfusion therapy.