Radiation exposure of vascular surgery patients beyond endovascular procedures.
BACKGROUND
Medical imaging evaluations provide valuable information and are often imperative in the care of our patients. Radiation exposure in patients who undergo medical imaging procedures is not routinely monitored and the associated risks are often underestimated.


METHODS
Radiation exposure associated with computed tomography (CT) angiography and coronary intervention is reviewed.


RESULTS
Vascular surgeons are often involved in the decision-making process in roughly 30% of CT scans performed that are believed to be unnecessary. Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) practice guidelines for patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms recommended eliminating a 6-month contrast surveillance CT if no endoleak was observed at 1 month after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Ultrasound and aortic duplex can help eliminate some of the CT scans.


CONCLUSIONS
Vascular surgeons must remain vigilant in monitoring radiation exposure for their patients who have potential for coronary and vascular imaging with radiation. Judicious use of alternative imaging modalities when possible and maintaining the dose as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) is the responsibility of vascular surgeons.
Zhou
Wei
W
Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-5642, USA. weizhou@stanford.edu
D000792:Angiography / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000209:etiology; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D011834:Radiation Monitoring; D015641:Radiography, Interventional / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures