title: The occupational effects of interventional cardiology: results from the WIN for Safety survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Interventional cardiologists are amongst the most intensive radiation users within medicine. To assess the implications of this usage, the "Women In Innovation" Group (WIN) created a web-based survey called "WIN for Safety" distributed through the European Association of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (EAPCI) to all catheterisation laboratory healthcare professionals, enquiring about radiation protection measures, compliance with monitoring, health (orthopaedic issues), radiation-associated problems (cataracts and cancer) and restrictions imposed upon the pregnant female.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, there were 615 participants: 72.8% were interventional cardiologists. Most (73.5%) of them were male and 63.3% were aged 31-50 years. A radiation collar badge was used by the majority (64.4%) and the most frequently utilised protective measure was the thyroid shield (87.2%). Potential illnesses related to radiation exposure included 19.5% orthopaedic problems (back/neck/hip pain), 5.5% varicose veins, 2.4% blood count problems and 2.0% cataracts. Notably, an association between orthopaedic problems and years of exposure was found (p=0.001). Overall, only 2.2% had ever been diagnosed with a cancer, with a trend for more females to be affected (4.4% vs. 1.8%; p=0.067). Finally, 62.1% have restrictions imposed upon the pregnant female in the working environment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Awareness of radiation in the field of interventional cardiology is essential. The main risk is orthopaedic problems and measures should be taken for prevention. Cancer has not been demonstrated to be a direct consequence; however, we should remain vigilant and monitor individuals.
authors.affiliation: San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Gill Louise
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Buchanan
authors.forename: Alaide
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chieffo
authors.forename: Julinda
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mehilli
authors.forename: Ghada W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Mikhail
authors.forename: Fina
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mauri
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Presbitero
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Grinfeld
authors.forename: Anna Sonia
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Petronio
authors.forename: Kimberly A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Skelding
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hoye
authors.forename: Roxana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mehran
authors.forename: Marie-Claude
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Morice
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001364:Awareness; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000592:standards; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000592:standards; D062645:Percutaneous Coronary Intervention / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000592:standards; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011835:Radiation Protection; D015641:Radiography, Interventional / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000592:standards; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health