[Radiation protection and arterial route in interventional cardiology]

Since its introduction as a routine arterial route for interventional cardiology, the radial route has been associated with higher X-rays doses, either to the patient and the operator. There is less evidence for this association in recent studies, probably due to the learning curve for this approach, improvement in radiological equipments and in radiation protection techniques. Coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary interventions can be performed by radial route routinely with very low levels of exposure for the patient (<50% of the reference levels). However, for a fixed dose to patient, the operator's exposure remains higher by radial route, compared to femoral route. Optimized individual radiation protection devices for operators are mandatory when procedures are performed by radial approach.