Key result
Recent attendance of radioprotection courses was associated with increased awareness of techniques to reduce radiation exposure (96% vs. 81%, P=0.022) among Italian electrophysiologists.
Why the study?
Radiation use in medicine has increased significantly and cardiologists are among the specialists most responsible for X-ray exposure, warranting investigation into radiation management and adherence to European Union directives among cardiologists.
Cross-Sectional (n=125)
Yes
Absolute Event Rate: 96% vs 81%
p-value: p=0.022
Italian interventional electrophysiologists show acceptable radiation awareness, but attending radioprotection courses significantly improves knowledge and practices regarding X-ray management.
May support encouraging radioprotection courses for Italian electrophysiologists; leaves open effects on actual dose reduction.
AIMS: Radiation use in medicine has significantly increased over the last decade, and cardiologists are among the specialists most responsible for X-ray exposure. The present study investigates a broad range of aspects, from specific European Union directives to general practical principles, related to radiation management among a national cohort of cardiologists. METHODS AND RESULTS: A voluntary 31-question survey was run on the Italian Arrhythmology and Pacing Society (AIAC) website. From June 2019 to January 2020, 125 cardiologists, routinely performing interventional electrophysiology, participated in the survey. Eighty-seven (70.2%) participants are aware of the recent European Directive (Euratom 2013/59), although only 35 (28.2%) declare to have read the document in detail. Ninety-six (77.4%) participants register the dose delivered to the patient in each procedure, in 66.1% of the cases both as fluoroscopy time and dose area product. Years of exposition (P = 0.009) and working in centers performing pediatric procedures (P = 0.021) related to greater degree of X-ray equipment optimization. The majority of participants (72, 58.1%) did not recently attend radioprotection courses. The latter is related to increased awareness of techniques to reduce radiation exposure (96% vs. 81%, P = 0.022), registration of the delivered dose in each procedure (92% vs. 67%, P = 0.009), and X-ray equipment optimization (50% vs. 36%, P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: Italian interventional cardiologists show an acceptable level of radiation awareness and knowledge of updated European directives. However, there is clear space for improvement. Comparison to other health professionals, both at national and international levels, is needed to pursue proper X-ray management and protect public health.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Anselmino et al. (2021) conducted a cross-sectional in Cardiologists routinely performing interventional electrophysiology (n=125). Recent attendance of radioprotection courses vs. No recent attendance of radioprotection courses was evaluated on Awareness of techniques to reduce radiation exposure (p=0.022). Recent attendance of radioprotection courses was associated with increased awareness of techniques to reduce radiation exposure (96% vs. 81%, P=0.022) among Italian electrophysiologists.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: