Occupational Hazards in Cardiac Catheterization Laboratories: Radiation and Beyond-ANMCO Position Paper Update 2026.

Area of Science:

• Interventional Cardiology
• Occupational Health
• Radiation Safety

Background:

• Interventional cardiology procedures, while life-saving, expose healthcare professionals to significant occupational hazards.
• Key risks include radiation exposure, musculoskeletal injury, infectious agent exposure, and psychological strain.
• Chronic radiation exposure is a particularly concerning and under-recognized threat for interventional cardiologists.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the occupational hazards faced by healthcare professionals in cardiac catheterization laboratories.
• To highlight the risks associated with chronic low-dose radiation exposure.
• To discuss strategies for mitigating these risks and promoting a safer working environment.

Main Methods:

• Review of contemporary epidemiological evidence on the biological effects of chronic low-dose radiation.
• Analysis of occupational exposure patterns and associated health risks.
• Discussion of current and emerging radiation mitigation strategies and technologies.

Main Results:

• Cumulative radiation doses for high-volume interventional cardiologists can exceed those of other radiation-exposed professionals.
• Increased risk estimates for malignancy and potential links to cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases have been identified.
• Radiation exposure is often higher to the head than the chest, with specific side predominance.

Conclusions:

• A paradigm shift towards a rigorous culture of radiation safety is essential in interventional cardiology.
• Institutional commitment to advanced shielding, real-time dosimetry, and protocol optimization is critical.
• Adoption of radiation-sparing/free technologies and robot-assisted procedures is vital for safeguarding future generations of interventional cardiologists.