In plain language
In a self-reported survey of 424 interventional cardiologists, 42% reported spine problems and 28% hip, knee or ankle problems; spine problems tracked with caseload and years in practice, and over a third caused missed work.
At a glance
- Type of study
- Original research, Cross-sectional survey
- Who was studied
- Interventional cardiologists
- Size
- n = 424 survey respondents (SCAI members)
- Topics
- Musculoskeletal injury and ergonomicsPersonal protective equipmentEye lens and cataractsCancer risk
- Summary based on
- the abstract
What it found
Spine problems were reported by 42% of responding interventional cardiologists, mostly lumbosacral.
Key figures: 42% (70% lumbosacral, 30% cervical)
Hip, knee or ankle problems were reported by 28% of operators.
Key figures: 28%
Over one-third of those with spine problems reported missing work because of them.
Key figures: >1/3
Spine problems were associated with annual procedural caseload and years in practice.
Results on radiation-associated problems (cataracts and cancers) were inconclusive.
Limits to keep in mind
Web-based self-reported yes/no survey with about a 26% response rate (424 of over 1,600), raising response bias; no control group and no objective confirmation of diagnoses or apron use.
Related research summaries
- Increasing Awareness and Reducing Occupational Hazards in the Cardiac Catheterization and Electrophysiology Laboratories: Working to Eliminate Lead and Complications of Radiation in Cardiovascular Team Study (2026, Cross-sectional survey)
- The occupational effects of interventional cardiology: results from the WIN for Safety survey (2012, Cross-sectional survey)
- Occupational hazards of interventional cardiologists: prevalence of orthopedic health problems in contemporary practice (2004, Cross-sectional survey)
- SCAI/ASE/HRS/SIR/SVS Expert Consensus Statement on Enhanced Radiation Protection: Time for Mandatory and Urgent Action (2026, Guideline or consensus statement)
- Occupational Health Hazards in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory: Results of the 2023 SCAI Survey (2025, Cross-sectional survey)
How this summary was made
ORSIF prepared this summary with AI assistance from the abstract 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.