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A Lead Rectangle to Lower the Operator's Radiation Exposure

A Lead Rectangle to Lower the Radiation Exposure for Operators Who Uses Radial Approach in Coronary Procedures.

Status
UNKNOWN
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Observational
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01469195
Enrollment
50
Registered
2011-11-10
Start date
2011-12-31
Completion date
2012-07-31
Last updated
2011-11-10

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Atherosclerosis, Coronary Artery Disease, Coronary Occlusion

Keywords

lead rectangle, radiation exposure, operators, radial approach, coronary procedures, percutaneous coronary intervention

Brief summary

During fluoroscopic imaging, diagnostic information is carried in the primary beam. These high intensity X-rays are the chief hazard to the patient. Lower energy scattered radiation deviates in all directions from the patient. Despite typical precautions (i.e., hanging a lead shield between the patient and the operator), many operators will be exposed to high radiation dose (higher than the permitted 50 miliS per year), this long term radiation exposure may result in stochastic and deterministic effects. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that a non disposable radiation protection drape (that will cover the lower part of the patient) could help minimize the radiation scattered from the patient to the operator. In a procedure done through the Radial approach, there is a large portion of the patients (from the umbilicus and down) that is a source of scatter radiation to the operator. This portion can be covered with a lead rectangle. A non disposable, lead drape of uniform thickness will be inserted into a sterile nylon bag and will be used during fluoroscopic and cineangiography coronary angioplasty procedures. The lead drapes will cover the femoral puncture site. The widths and length of the drape is 50-60cm and 100 cm respectively and was shown not to hinder the field of radiation needed for fluoroscopy and cineangiography. (The upper border of the lead is under the patient's umbilicus and was shown not to interfere with the radiation field needed for angiography or angioplasty). The Investigators anticipate that the study will show a significant reduction in radiation exposure and hence reduce the radiation hazard to the operator.

Detailed description

The Investigators tested the hypothesis on a Phantom that contain bones and tissue that simulate human tissue. The above phantom is used in the oncology department for testing radiation protocols delivered to patients. Those preliminary testing showed that a lead rectangle decreased significantly the radiation scattered towards the operators and personnel in the catheterization laboratory. In all chosen places whether 40 or 100 cm from the radiation beam - The Investigators detected a significant reduction in scattered radiation. The significant reduction in these experiments is attributed to the location the Investigators choose but also to the size of the lead drape 100 X60 cm which give a large area of protection. From simple geometric calculations it's understandable that the zone or volume of radiation protection become much larger further away from the lead rectangle.Patients who are admitted for an elective PCI procedure ( or stable ACS patients) will be ask to participate in the study and sign an informed consent. All the procedure will be as standard of care, after cleaning the right or left arm, and the groin a sterile towel will cover the groin, on top of the sterile towel the lead rectangle (that by itself will be inserted to a sterile nylon bag) will be put over to cover the area from the umbilicus and down. (In case that the radial approach will fail and femoral approach will be needed, it is easy to remove the lead rectangle while keeping sterile field in the groin area). Few dosimeters will be used to assess radiation exposure, two underneath the lead apron, one on top, and two dosimeters for the operator (two detecting the radiation exposure in the neck area). The Investigators will approach patients in whom a long procedure time and higher radiation exposure are anticipated (like patients with chronic total occlusion, heavily calcified or tortuous coronary arteries). In those, the fluoroscopy time on average, is longer than usual. A total of 50 patients will be recruited (based on the Investigators preliminary radiation testing on the phantom and the results of Politi et al). In 25 patients a lead rectangle will be used on top of the regular protection (personal lead suit, leaded glass shield), in 25 patients only regular protection for the operators.

Interventions

None listed

Sponsors

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Observational model
CASE_CONTROL
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 75 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* patients referred for an elective (non emergent) - radial access approach for coronary angioplasty. * patients with angina pectoris or acute coronary syndrome, which are hemodynamically stable, will be included. * Age 18-75.

Exclusion criteria

* Urgent/Emergent procedures (ST elevation myocardial infarction, suspected LM disease, low Ejection fraction \<35%, patients in heart failure - NYHA class III, IV). * Any situation that there is higher chance (over 10%) of switching to a femoral access approach (like weak radial pulse, low blood pressure \<90 mmHg, failed radial access in the past) . * Significant valve disease like; severe aortic stenosis, severe mitral regurgitation. * Pregnancy or women in child bearing age.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
scattered radiation reduction with lead rectangle protection Vs. no protection at distance of 40-100 cm from the radiation beamOutcome measure is assessed same day immediately after the procedure (recording the dose of radiation detected by the dosimeters) participants will be followed for the duration of hospital stay, an expected average of 2-4 days.The Investigators will use Inlight (Landauer) dosimeters that are sensitive and can be read over and over to give the differences in scattered radiation, (with or without the lead rectangle). these dosimeters will be read Immediately at the end of the procedure. The investigators will look for the difference in the readings between patients that had the lead rectangle on to patients without the lead rectangle.

Countries

Canada

Contacts

Primary ContactBradley H Strauss, MD PhD
bradley.strauss@sunnybrook.ca416 480 6066

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026