In plain language
Across 10 studies of 5,168 cardiac catheterization procedures, left-radial access was associated with about one-third lower operator exposure at the thorax, neck and wrist than right-radial access, but not at the left eye. These are dose measurements, not health outcomes.
At a glance
- Type of study
- Systematic review or meta-analysis, Meta-analysis
- Who was studied
- Interventional cardiologists
- Size
- n = 10 studies
- Summary based on
- the abstract
What it found
Left-radial access was associated with lower operator exposure at the thorax than right-radial access.
Key figures: Range of motion (ROM) = 0.68, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.52, 0.88, P <.001
Left-radial access was associated with lower operator exposure at the neck, the only outcome without high heterogeneity.
Key figures: ROM = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.53, 0.86, P <.001
Left-radial access was associated with lower operator left wrist exposure, though possible publication bias was present for this outcome.
Key figures: ROM = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.45, 0.93, P = .02; Egger test: P = .02
No significant difference in operator left eye exposure between approaches.
Key figures: ROM = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.63, 1.11, P = .22
The pooled analysis covered 10 studies and 5,168 procedures.
Key figures: 10 studies; 5,168 procedures (LRA, n = 2,410 vs right radial access (RRA), n = 2,758)
Limits to keep in mind
Pooled comparisons with high heterogeneity for thorax, left eye and wrist outcomes and possible publication bias for wrist; designs of included studies are not described, findings apply to labs with standard shielding, and outcomes are dosimeter exposure rather than health effects.
Related research summaries
- Real-time evaluation of operator eye lens radiation dose in interventional radiology: Effects of protective shield position and X-ray beam angle (2026, Dosimetry measurement study)
- Comparative Effectiveness of Immersive Virtual Reality and Traditional Didactic Training on Radiation Safety in Medical Professionals: A Crossover Study (2025, Randomized trial)
- Radiation exposure in interventional cardiology: a narrative review of health effects and novel approaches to ensure radiation safety (2025, Narrative review)
- Radiation protection practices in diagnostic and interventional cardiology: Position paper from Portuguese Association of Interventional Cardiology (2025, Guideline or consensus statement)
- Addressing the Occupational Risk of Radiation Exposure in the Evolving Field of Interventional Echocardiography (2024, Narrative review)
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.