Ocular radiation exposure of the primary operator performing selective coronary angiography from a radial artery approach.

BACKGROUND

Radiation exposure is one of the most adverse occupational hazards faced by interventional cardiologists. The lens of the eye is considered highly radiosensitive. The left eye (LE) is at considerably more risk of radiation-induced cataracts than the right eye (RE) due to its proximity to the radiation source during cardiac catheterization.

METHODS

This single-center retrospective study (n = 534) assessed the cumulative radiation (CR) exposure in microsieverts (μSv) and the normalized radiation exposure (CR/DAP) to the LE and RE of the primary operator when using a radial artery approach.

RESULTS

In the whole sample, median CR (LE: 3 vs RE: 1, P less than .001) and median CR/DAP (LE: 0.11 vs RE: 0.03, P les than .001) were higher for the LE than the RE. This same pattern occurred in separate analyses of both radial artery approaches, regardless of patient sex, height, or body mass index.

CONCLUSIONS

Radiation exposure to the LE compared with the RE of interventional cardiologists is significantly more during selective coronary angiography using a radial artery approach. The authors recommend the use of radioprotective glasses in conjunction with an optimally placed ceiling-mounted shield to minimize ocular radiation exposure.