In plain language
In 15 UK vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists, markers of DNA damage in blood cells rose briefly after complex endovascular aortic repair and returned to baseline in 24 hours. The rise was absent when operators wore leg shielding. Long-term health significance is unknown.
At a glance
- Type of study
- Original research, Laboratory or biomarker study
- Who was studied
- Vascular surgeons, Interventional radiologists, Patients
- Size
- n = 15 operators
- Where
- United Kingdom
- Summary based on
- the full text
What it found
Both DNA damage markers rose significantly in operators' lymphocytes immediately after branched/fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR); only pATM rose after infrarenal EVAR.
Key figures: P<0.0003 for both (BEVAR/fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair (FEVAR)); pATM P<0.04 (IEVAR)
Wearing lower leg lead shielding abolished the γ-H2AX and pATM response after complex EVAR, with comparable dose-area product (DAP) and screening times.
Key figures: 9 shielded vs 16 unshielded branched endovascular aneurysm repair (BEVAR)/FEVAR cases, P<0.05
Marker levels returned to baseline within 24 hours, and no change occurred after open (non-fluoroscopic) repair.
Key figures: P<0.003 for both
Leg-level dosimeter readings were higher than chest readings, and about twice as high in complex versus standard EVAR.
Key figures: ≈2-fold higher leg exposure; P<0.0001
Operators' blood irradiated in vitro at the same dose showed significantly different γ-H2AX responses, suggesting individual variation in susceptibility.
Key figures: n=6, P<0.0001
Limits to keep in mind
Small single-centre sample (15 operators, 6 in the leg-shield and in vitro substudies) with non-randomized comparison; markers reflect an acute, transient cellular response with no established link to cancer risk or long-term outcomes.
Related research summaries
- 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)
- Occupational Radiation Exposure and Thyroid Nodules in Healthcare Workers: A Review (2025, Narrative review)
- Radiation exposure in interventional cardiology: a narrative review of health effects and novel approaches to ensure radiation safety (2025, Narrative review)
- Cancer and non-cancer brain and eye effects of chronic low-dose ionizing radiation exposure (2012, Narrative review)
- IU Health Handbook of Fluoroscopy Safety (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.