In plain language
Six Spanish societies conclude that reported fetal-relevant doses for pregnant interventional physicians are below 1 mSv, far below harm thresholds, and recommend continued cath lab work with adaptations such as abdominal dosimetry, suitable aprons and shields, rather than automatic removal.
At a glance
- Type of study
- Guideline or consensus statement
- Who was studied
- Interventional cardiologists, Interventional radiologists, Electrophysiologists, Other physicians
- Where
- Spain
- Topics
- Pregnancy and reproductive healthWomen in the fieldRegulation and policyPersonal protective equipmentRoom shielding and protective devicesDosimetry and monitoringWorkforce and careers
- Summary based on
- a web page
What it found
Published abdominal dosimeter doses in women who kept working in the cath lab during pregnancy were below 1 mSv in all cases.
Key figures: < 1 mSv
No risk of abortion below 50 mSv and no deterministic effects such as malformations or intellectual disability below 60 mSv; far above occupational doses.
Key figures: <50 mSv; <60 mSv
Under Spanish regulation, the practical pregnancy limit is 2 mSv on the abdominal dosimeter, equivalent to 1 mSv fetal dose; pregnancy does not imply automatic withdrawal from work.
Key figures: 2 mSv abdominal dosimeter; 1 mSv fetus
The societies recommend pregnant exposed workers be classified as fit with adaptation measures rather than unfit.
A 0.25 mm lead vest plus skirt gives double-layer 0.5 mm equivalent abdominal protection, attenuating 98% of scattered radiation; ceiling/mobile screens attenuate 99%.
Key figures: 98% attenuation; screens 99%, overall exposure reduced 50%-75%
Limits to keep in mind
Consensus/narrative document, not original research; evidence on doses in pregnant operators comes from small surveys and observational reports, and offspring health data are sparse. Source text was cut short.
Related research summaries
- SCAI Multi-Society Position Statement on Occupational Health Hazards (2020, Guideline or consensus statement)
- Radiation Exposure, Training, and Safety in Cardiology (2024, Narrative review)
- Occupational Health Hazards in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory: Results of the 2023 SCAI Survey (2025, Cross-sectional survey)
- 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)
- SCAI/ASE/HRS/SIR/SVS Expert Consensus Statement on Enhanced Radiation Protection: Time for Mandatory and Urgent Action (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 3, 2026.