Occupational Health Risks in Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Workers

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Orthopedic strain and radiation exposure are recognized risk factors in personnel staff performing fluoroscopically guided cardiovascular procedures. However, the potential occupational health effects are still unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of health problems among personnel staff working in interventional cardiology/cardiac electrophysiology and correlate them with the length of occupational radiation exposure.

WHAT IS KNOWN

  • Orthopedic strain and chronic radiation exposure from fluoroscopy are recognized risk factors for cardiologists and paramedical staff in catheterization and electrophysiology laboratory. However, the distinct occupational health risks still need to be investigated.

    WHAT THE STUDY ADDS

    • The survey shows that several health problems are more frequently observed in workers performing fluoroscopically guided cardiovascular procedures than in unexposed controls.

    • The primary risks mostly related to work activity and radiation exposure included orthopedic illnesses, cataract, skin lesions, and cancers, particularly in workers with longer duration of occupational work.

    • The secondary findings showed an increased prevalence of anxiety/depression, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia, supporting the recent evidence of other radiogenic noncancer effects.

    • These findings can contribute to spread the culture of safety in the cardiac catheterization laboratory.

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