[A new radiation protection device for cardiologists active in interventional radiology]

The radiation protection system up to now has been in the form of a lead glass pane and a lead curtain on the examination table. As new equipment we used a leaded rubber cover (Pb 0.75 mm) extending from the foot to the rib cage of the patient and a 60-cm high and 70-cm wide stand, reinforced with leaded rubber (Pb 1.0 mm) fixed onto the foot switch. During the period of 2 months the total radiation dose in 156 coronary angioplasties and 71 diagnostic heart catheterizations was measured on the hand, thorax, lower leg and foot of the examiner using ring and placet dosimeters. The dose was measured for a further 2 months, during 152 coronary angioplasty and 66 diagnostic heart catheterizations without the new extra radiation protection equipment. The catheterization procedure was not basically impeded through the lead cover and the lead stand. The radiation dose experienced by the examiner was reduced by 96.8% on the hand, 98.6% on the thorax, 98.8% on the lower leg, and by 99.5% on the foot.