In plain language
In 3860 diagnostic coronary angiograms at one Australian hospital, patient obesity was the strongest predictor of high per-procedure dose to the primary cardiologist, with radial access, biplane imaging, male patients and transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) work-up also linked to higher operator dose.
At a glance
- Type of study
- Original research, Retrospective cohort study
- Who was studied
- Interventional cardiologists, Trainees, Patients
- Size
- n = 3,860 procedures (operator dose measured in 2591)
- Where
- Australia
- Summary based on
- the full text
What it found
Patient obesity (BMI >30 vs <25) was the strongest predictor of high primary operator dose (above 75th percentile).
Key figures: Odds ratio (OR) = 3.3 (2.4-4.4) P < 0.001
Radial access was associated with higher odds of high operator dose in multivariate analysis, though not with high patient kerma-area product (PKA).
Key figures: OR 2.34 (1.69-3.17), p<0.001
Biplane imaging increased odds of high operator dose and high patient dose.
Key figures: Operator OR 2.18 (1.68-2.84); patient OR = 5.2 (95% confidence interval (CI): 4.2-6.5)
TAVI work-up was the procedure category with the highest odds of high operator dose.
Key figures: OR = 2.7 (95% CI: 1.5-4.8)
Median per-procedure operator dose was low and operator experience did not affect operator dose, although registrars delivered higher patient PKA.
Key figures: Median OD 0.95 μSv (IQR 0.00-1.90); 75th percentile 1.90 μSv
Limits to keep in mind
Single-centre retrospective analysis with a single dosimeter on the thyroid collar of the primary operator only; use of the ceiling-suspended shield, kV, mAs and beam geometry were not recorded, and the dosimeter was worn in only about two-thirds of procedures.
Related research summaries
- Radiation Exposure, Training, and Safety in Cardiology (2024, Narrative review)
- Two Central Nervous System Tumors in One Catheter Lab: Time to Rethink Radiation Protection (2026, Retrospective cohort study)
- Cardiology fellows-in-training are exposed to relatively high levels of radiation in the cath lab compared with staff interventional cardiologists, insights from the RECAP trial (2019, Dosimetry measurement study)
- Comparison of Radiation Exposure during Endovascular Treatment of Peripheral Arterial Disease with Flat-Panel Detectors on Mobile C-arm versus Fixed Systems (2017, Prospective cohort study)
- Modern Fixed Imaging Systems Reduce Radiation Exposure To Patients And Providers (2017, Retrospective cohort study)
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.