Get Protected! Recommendations for Staff in IR

In plain language

This review of guidelines for interventional radiology (IR) staff recommends ceiling shields, well-fitted and regularly tested aprons, thyroid shields and eyewear, dual dosimetry and training, notes protective caps add little, and cites robotics as greatly reducing operator exposure.

At a glance

Type of study: Narrative review
Who was studied: Interventional radiologists, Nurses, Radiologic technologists, Anesthesia staff, Mixed lab staff
Topics: Personal protective equipment Room shielding and protective devices Robotic and remote systems Dosimetry and monitoring Training and education Regulation and policy Eye lens and cataracts Musculoskeletal injury and ergonomics Women in the field
Summary based on: the full text

What it found

Properly placed ceiling-suspended shields greatly reduce operator dose, including to the eyes; lens injuries have occurred where such shields were lacking.
Key figures: 0.5-mm lead equivalent
Lead aprons transmit a small fraction of typical scatter; lead-free aprons may be less effective at higher tube voltages.
Key figures: 0.5-5% transmission at 70-100 kVp through 0.5-mm lead
Robotic endovascular systems sharply reduce interventionalist exposure (cited PRECISE study).
Key figures: 95.2% median reduction
Protective caps give insignificant brain dose reduction, especially with a ceiling shield in use.
Aprons often fit women poorly, leaving the lateral left breast and other organs exposed; aprons should be individually tailored and regularly checked for integrity.

Limits to keep in mind

Narrative review summarising guidelines and prior studies without systematic search or new data; quantitative figures are cited from other sources.

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)
Radiation exposure in interventional cardiology: a narrative review of health effects and novel approaches to ensure radiation safety (2025, Narrative review)
Occupational Radiological Protection in Interventional Procedures, ICRP PUBLICATION 139 (2018, Guideline or consensus statement)
SIR-CIRSE Joint Guideline on Occupational Radiation Protection (2010, 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.