Beating the rays: innovations in radiation protection

Dr Zafraan Zathar
21/01/2025

Take home messages

  • Due to the increased complexity of both interventional and structural procedures, there is greater emphasis on cardiologist to take active steps to minimise their occupational exposure.
  • Recent technological innovations in radiation protection offer several promising options, each with distinct advantages and drawbacks that could affect their integration into existing catheter laboratories.
  • Potential future challenges include high set up cost, learning curve, ergonomics adjustments for incorporating new technology as well as regulatory and institutional support for their implementation.

Radiation exposure is an occupational hazard in cardiology that merits consideration as the sophistication and duration of interventional procedures has increased in recent years. As image-guided structural interventions rise, the risk extends beyond interventional cardiologists to imaging specialists(1). A previous British Cardiovascular Society editorial has described the deleterious effects of radiation and strategies for reduction(2). This editorial will focus on technological innovations in radiation protection, reviewing their feasibility and efficacy.