In plain language
In a US survey of 69 interventional echocardiographers, many reported no dosimeter, no training, unknown personal dose and insufficient shielding, and most had reproductive health concerns. These are self-reported perceptions and practices, not measured doses.
At a glance
- Type of study
- Original research, Cross-sectional survey
- Who was studied
- Other physicians
- Size
- n = 69 interventional echocardiographers
- Where
- United States
- Topics
- Dosimetry and monitoringPersonal protective equipmentRoom shielding and protective devicesTraining and educationPregnancy and reproductive healthWomen in the fieldWorkforce and careersSafety culture and complianceMusculoskeletal injury and ergonomics
- Summary based on
- the full text
What it found
Most interventional echocardiographers did not know their personal annual radiation dose, and nearly one in five used no dosimeter.
Key figures: 80% unaware of annual dose; 18% no dosimeter
Three quarters judged radiation protection in their catheterization laboratory insufficient, and only a quarter had access to ceiling-suspended shields; none reported lens dosimeters.
Key figures: 75% insufficient protection; 25% ceiling shield access; 0% lens dosimeter
Radiation safety training was lacking or informal for most respondents.
Key figures: 30% no training; 26% structured; 44% unstructured
Reproductive health concerns were common in both sexes, and over half of women said the role affected pregnancy planning.
Key figures: 71% overall (66% male, 80% female); 56% of women pregnancy planning affected
Most women who had been pregnant performed structural procedures during pregnancy, some without extra precautions, and some reported severe back pain from aprons in the third trimester.
Key figures: 63% (12/19) worked during pregnancy; 7% no extra precautions
Limits to keep in mind
Small voluntary online survey (n = 69) with unknown response rate, possible self-selection and recall bias, and 88% tertiary-care respondents; all data are self-reported with descriptive statistics only.
Related research summaries
- Occupational Health Hazards in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory: Results of the 2023 SCAI Survey (2025, Cross-sectional survey)
- Radiation Exposure, Training, and Safety in Cardiology (2024, Narrative review)
- SCAI Multi-Society Position Statement on Occupational Health Hazards (2020, Guideline or consensus statement)
- 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 Pelvic and Chest-Level Radiation Exposure Among Interventional Echocardiographers During Percutaneous Structural Heart Interventions (2026, Dosimetry measurement study)
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.