Radiation safety in the cardiac catheterization laboratory: operational radiation safety.
The goal of the catheterization laboratory radiation safety program is to facilitate invasive cardiology while simultaneously reducing staff risks to an acceptable level. Achieving this goal requires a balance between the value of catheterization to the patient and the associated radiation risk to the staff. This article introduces the principles of radiation protection as applied in the catheterization laboratory. Prudent conformance to these principles will appropriately reduce radiation risk. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Intervent. 47:347-353, 1999.
New York Cardiac and Vascular Institute, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York 10021, USA.
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D000398:Air Pollution, Radioactive; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D005135:Eye Protective Devices; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D005932:Gloves, Surgical; D006801:Humans; D007755:Laboratories, Hospital; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011481:Protective Clothing; D011835:Radiation Protection; D015641:Radiography, Interventional