Optimizing patient and staff radiation exposure in interventional cardiology: how to achieve it

Abstract Radiation exposure is a primary concern during interventional cardiology procedures. This study evaluates the impact on patient and operator radiation exposure of implementing modern shielding, innovative imaging technologies and optimized protocols, combined with staff education. Radiation exposure data during coronary angiography (CA) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures were analyzed in three cohorts: use of historical imaging protocols and conventional operator shielding (P0); introduction of a suspended operator radiation protection system (P1); implementation of innovative imaging chain and optimized protocols (P2). Patient radiation levels between P0 and P2 were significantly reduced by up to 44% for CA procedures and up to 74% for PCI procedures. Operator doses showed a reduction of 86% and 93% for CA and PCI, respectively. Compared to literature, our patient dose levels were among the lowest, with values well below current European dose reference levels.