In plain language
In one Japanese hybrid suite, echocardiographers performing transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) during structural heart procedures received most dose at the right waist and lower body, more in mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) than transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Chest dosimeters may underestimate their exposure; these are dosimetry results, not health outcomes.
At a glance
- Type of study
- Original research, Dosimetry measurement study
- Who was studied
- Other physicians, Trainees, Phantom or simulation (no people)
- Size
- n = 79 procedures
- Where
- Japan
- Topics
- Dosimetry and monitoringPregnancy and reproductive healthEye lens and cataractsWomen in the fieldRoom shielding and protective devicesPersonal protective equipment
- Summary based on
- the full text
What it found
Simulation showed high-dose areas on the right half of the echocardiographer's body, especially waist and lower body, from scatter off the bottom edge of the patient bed.
Key figures: >20 μGy/h
Measured waist dose was higher than chest dose, the usual dosimeter location.
Key figures: median 11.5 μSv vs 2.0 μSv; P < 0.05
Waist dose per unit air kerma was higher in TEER than in TAVR.
Key figures: 0.334 μSv/mGy vs 0.053 μSv/mGy; P < 0.001
In transfemoral TAVR, self-expanding valves gave longer fluoroscopy and higher waist dose per air kerma than balloon-expandable valves.
Key figures: median 0.067 μSv/mGy vs 0.039 μSv/mGy; P < 0.01
Cusp-overlap and PA views gave the highest simulated dose rates; perpendicular view the lowest.
Key figures: all P < 0.05
Limits to keep in mind
Single-center study in one hybrid suite with dosimeters worn outside protective clothing and no lens measurements; simulation omitted aprons, C-arm and TEE machine and patient habitus.
Related research summaries
- Occupational Health Hazards in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory: Results of the 2023 SCAI Survey (2025, Cross-sectional survey)
- Radiation Exposure, Training, and Safety in Cardiology (2024, Narrative review)
- SCAI Multi-Society Position Statement on Occupational Health Hazards (2020, Guideline or consensus statement)
- 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)
- ICRP Draft - Radiological Protection in Fluoroscopically Guided Procedures (Guideline or consensus statement)
How this summary was made
ORSIF prepared this summary with AI assistance from the full text 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 3, 2026.