In plain language
In a randomised trial of 452 transradial coronary procedures, protective drapes were linked to lower operator chest dose, with a pelvic drape roughly halving dose and outperforming an arm drape alone. These are dose measurements, not health outcomes.
At a glance
- Type of study
- Original research, Randomized trial
- Who was studied
- Interventional cardiologists
- Size
- n = 452 procedures
- Topics
- Room shielding and protective devicesPersonal protective equipmentDosimetry and monitoringDose reduction techniques
- Summary based on
- the abstract
What it found
Any protective drape was associated with lower operator thorax dose than no drape.
Key figures: 8.6 µSv [4.1-17.9] no drapes vs 5.8 µSv [3.4-13] arm drape, 3.6 µSv [2.1-6.9] pelvic drape, 3.7 µSv [1.9-10.3] combined; p<0.001
Pelvic drape alone or combined with arm drape gave significantly lower dose than arm drape alone.
Key figures: p<0.008
The arm drape reduced dose versus no drape only in right radial procedures, while pelvic and combined drapes reduced dose for both right and left radial access.
Key figures: p<0.008
Limits to keep in mind
Abstract only; single dosimeter location (thorax) measures dose, not health outcomes, and centre, country and number of operators are not reported.
Related research summaries
- Investigating Medical Radiation Awareness of Saudi Arabian Cardiologists in Catheterization Labs: (2026, Cross-sectional survey)
- Extended Protective Shield Under Table to Reduce Operator Radiation Dose in Percutaneous Coronary Procedures: The EXTRA-RAD Study (2019, Randomized trial)
- Determinants of operator and patient radiation exposure during cardiac catheterization: Insights from the RadiCure (RADIation reduction during cardiac catheterization using real-timE monitoring) trial (2015, Randomized trial)
- Reduction of Operator Radiation Dose by a Pelvic Lead Shield During Cardiac Catheterization by Radial Access: Comparison With Femoral Access (2012, Randomized trial)
- Obesity as a determinant of radiation burden in the cardiac catheterization laboratory (2026, 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.