Shielding Patients Means Low Dose for Operators, Too
Lead shielding patients helps protect operators from radiation exposure during cardiac catheterization, but shielding is less effective for the radial approach than for the femoral approach.
Pelvic lead shielding of patients reduces radiation exposure to operators during radial and femoral cardiac catherization, but radial access is still associated with a higher operator radiation dose, show results of a study published in April’s issue of JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.
Researchers from Breman, Germany, assigned 210 patients to undergo either radial or femoral access coronary angiography with and without pelvic lead shielding of the patient. Operator exposure was measured by a radiation dosimeter attached to the outside breast pocket of the lead apron.
Operator dose decreased from 20.9 mSv to 9.0 mSv during the radial access, with pelvic lead shielding, and decreased from 15.3 mSv to 10.4 mSv during the femoral access.
While these findings show a decrease in exposure, more research is needed to further minimize operator exposure to radiation, concluded the authors of the study.
New Collaboration Offers Promise of Automating Prior Authorizations in Radiology with AI
March 26th 2025In addition to a variety of tools to promote radiology workflow efficiencies, the integration of the Gravity AI tools into the PowerServer RIS platform may reduce time-consuming prior authorizations to minutes for completion.
The Reading Room: Artificial Intelligence: What RSNA 2020 Offered, and What 2021 Could Bring
December 5th 2020Nina Kottler, M.D., chief medical officer of AI at Radiology Partners, discusses, during RSNA 2020, what new developments the annual meeting provided about these technologies, sessions to access, and what to expect in the coming year.
Study Explores Impact of Insurance on Treatment and Referrals for Patients with Uterine Fibroids
February 19th 2025Women with uterine fibroids and Medicaid coverage are significantly more likely to be treated with uterine artery embolization than those with commercial insurance, according to newly published research.
