In plain language
This multisociety consensus document reports that interventional cardiologists receive about 8 to 10 μSv per procedure, potentially up to 10 mSv a year, and calls for standardized radiation safety training; the long-term health implications for staff remain uncertain.
At a glance
- Type of study
- Guideline or consensus statement
- Who was studied
- Interventional cardiologists, Electrophysiologists, Nurses, Radiologic technologists, Mixed lab staff, Patients
- Where
- United States
- Topics
- Dosimetry and monitoringDose reduction techniquesTraining and educationRegulation and policyPatient doseCancer riskEye lens and cataractsPregnancy and reproductive healthPersonal protective equipment
- Summary based on
- a web page
What it found
Interventional cardiologist operator dose per procedure ranges widely, averaging 8 to 10 μSv with current equipment and protection practices.
Key figures: 0.2 to >100 μSv per procedure; average 8 to 10 μSv
An active interventional cardiologist could accumulate up to about 10 mSv per year, or 300 mSv over a 30-year career in an extreme scenario.
Key figures: 10 mSv/year; 300 mSv over 30 years
Interventional cardiologists and electrophysiologists are among the most highly exposed healthcare workers, with potential exposure to support staff too.
Health implications of career occupational doses for individual practitioners are uncertain, and no data characterize total exposed workers or their doses.
Many cardiovascular specialists are not fully informed about procedural radiation doses and health implications; radiation safety should be built into training and board certification.
Limits to keep in mind
Expert consensus document rather than primary research; the available text was cut short, covering only the preamble and early sections, so recommendations on dose-sparing and protection were not seen.
Related research summaries
- Radiation Safety and Protection - StatPearls (2024, Narrative review)
- IU Health Handbook of Fluoroscopy Safety (Guideline or consensus statement)
- Radiation exposure in interventional cardiology: a narrative review of health effects and novel approaches to ensure radiation safety (2025, Narrative review)
- Safety of Fluoroscopy - StatPearls (2024, Narrative review)
- Occupational Protection in Interventional Radiology. A Joint Guideline of the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe and the Society of Interventional Radiology (2026, Guideline or consensus statement)
How this summary was made
ORSIF prepared this summary with AI assistance from a web page of the paper. A program then checked that the passage supporting each finding appears word for word in that source. A person has not yet reviewed each summary, so read the original before relying on a number. ORSIF summarizes research and does not endorse any product or company. Report a problem with this summary.
Prepared November 5, 2026.