Efficacy of RADPAD protective drape during coronary angiography

Area of Science:

• Interventional Cardiology
• Medical Radiation Physics
• Occupational Health & Safety

Background:

• Percutaneous coronary angiographies utilize ionizing radiation, posing risks like skin damage and cataracts to catheter lab personnel.
• Chronic low-dose radiation exposure necessitates protective measures for healthcare professionals.
• The RADPAD is a sterile surgical drape designed to mitigate scatter radiation exposure for operators.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of RADPAD shields in reducing radiation dose for primary operators during diagnostic coronary angiography.
• To quantify the impact of RADPAD on operator radiation exposure in a clinical setting.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 60 patients undergoing elective coronary angiography.
• Procedures were performed with (RADPAD group) and without (control group) the RADPAD drape.
• Radiation dosimetry was measured on the left arm of the primary operator.

Main Results:

• No significant differences were observed in screening times or patient body mass index (BMI) between groups.
• The dose-area ratio showed no significant difference between the RADPAD and control groups.
• The primary operator's radiation dose was significantly lower in the RADPAD group (8.0 µSv) compared to the control group (19.6 µSv), p=0.02.

Conclusions:

• RADPAD significantly reduces radiation exposure for primary operators during diagnostic coronary angiography, particularly in patients with BMI > 25 kg/m².
• The RADPAD drape decreased total operator radiation exposure by 59% and the radiation exposure rate by 47%.