Assessing the level of radiation experienced by anesthesiologists during transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation and protection by a lead cap

N. Patrick Mayr, Gunther Wiesner, Angela Kretschmer, Johannes Brönner, Herbert Hoedlmoser, Oliver Husser, Albert M. Kasel, Rüdiger Lange, Peter Tassani-Prell

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective Transfemoral Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) has become a standard therapy for patients with aortic valve stenosis. Fluoroscopic imaging is essential for TAVI with the anesthesiologist’s workplace close to patient’s head side. While the use of lead-caps has been shown to be useful for interventional cardiologists, data are lacking for anesthesiologists. Methods A protective cap with a 0.35 lead-equivalent was worn on 15 working days by one anesthesiologist. Six detectors (three outside, three inside) were analyzed to determine the reduction of radiation. Literature search was conducted between April and October 2018. Results In the observational period, 32 TAVI procedures were conducted. A maximum radiation dose of 0.55 mSv was detected by the dosimeters at the outside of the cap. The dosimeters inside the cap, in contrast, displayed a constant radiation dose of 0.08 mSv. Conclusion The anesthesiologist’s head is exposed to significant radiation during TAVI and it can be protected by wearing a lead-cap.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere0210872
JournalPLoS ONE
Volume14
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2019

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