Key result
US interventional echocardiographers face major radiation safety gaps, with ~80% unaware of their annual dose.
Why the study?
Interventional echocardiographers face significant radiation exposure during structural heart interventions, but US-specific radiation safety practices, occupational risks, and sex-specific challenges remain understudied.
Cross-Sectional (n=69)
Yes
Interventional echocardiographers face critical occupational radiation safety gaps and reproductive concerns, highlighting an urgent need for improved monitoring, structural shielding, and tailored safety protocols.
Supports immediate radiation monitoring improvements for interventional echocardiographers; leaves open prospective evaluation of exposure and reproductive outcomes.
Background: With the rise of structural heart interventions (SHIs), interventional echocardiographers (IEs) face significant radiation exposure in catheterization laboratories. However, US-specific radiation safety practices remain understudied. This study aims to address radiation safety practices and concerns among US IEs, focusing on occupational risks and sex-specific challenges. Methods: A 21-item online survey was conducted from March to June 2025, targeting US IEs through a multifaceted recruitment strategy. It assessed demographics, SHI frequency, radiation monitoring, shielding practices, and reproductive health concerns. Descriptive statistics summarized responses, with sex-specific analyses for female IEs. Results: Of 69 respondents (64% [n = 44] men, 36% [n = 25] women), 88% (n = 61) worked in tertiary care settings and 46% (n = 32) guided SHIs several times weekly. Key gaps were identified, including 18% (n = 17) not using dosimeters, 64% (n = 44) never receiving exposure notifications, and 80% (n = 55) lacking awareness of their personal annual radiation dose. In addition, 30% (n = 21) had no radiation safety training, and 75% (n = 52) reported insufficient radiation protection in their catheterization laboratory. Reproductive health concerns affected 71% (n = 49) of IEs. Among female IEs, 56% (n = 14) reported an influence on pregnancy planning, 32% (n = 8) noted career concerns owing to maternity, and 63% of those who had had a pregnancy (n = 12/19) performed SHIs during pregnancy, with 7% taking no additional precautions. Conclusions: US IEs face critical radiation safety gaps, including inadequate monitoring, training, and shielding, with pronounced reproductive and career concerns among female IEs. Tailored protocols, enhanced shielding, and pregnancy-specific precautions are urgently needed to ensure the safety and well-being of IEs.
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A 2025 study conducted a cross-sectional in Occupational radiation exposure (n=69). Occupational radiation exposure was evaluated on Radiation safety practices and reproductive health concerns. US interventional echocardiographers face critical radiation safety gaps, with 18% not using dosimeters, 80% unaware of their annual radiation dose, and 71% reporting reproductive health concerns.
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