Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41625723›Full record

ArticleJournal of cardiovascular echography

Radioprotection for Interventional Echocardiographers: A Consensus Statement of the Italian Society of Echocardiography and Cardiovascular Imaging.

Giacomo Ingallina, Antonella Moreo, Paola Enrica Colombo, Francesca Casadei, Francesca Spanò, Oriana Belli, Riccardo Colombi, Leone Giovanni Musci, Matteo Cameli, Maurizio Cusmà-Piccione and 4 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of cardiovascular echography. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

14 authors.

Giacomo IngallinaCardiovascular Imaging Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele, Siena, Italy.
Antonella MoreoDe Gasperis Cardio Center, Transplant Center, Niguarda Hospital, Siena, Italy.
Paola Enrica ColomboDepartment of Medical Physics, Niguarda Hospital, Siena, Italy.
Francesca CasadeiDe Gasperis Cardio Center, Transplant Center, Niguarda Hospital, Siena, Italy.
Francesca SpanòDe Gasperis Cardio Center, Transplant Center, Niguarda Hospital, Siena, Italy.
Oriana BelliDe Gasperis Cardio Center, Transplant Center, Niguarda Hospital, Siena, Italy.
Riccardo ColombiCardiovascular Imaging Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele, Siena, Italy.
Leone Giovanni MusciCardiovascular Imaging Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele, Siena, Italy.
Matteo CameliDepartment of Medical Biotechnologies, Division of Cardiology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
Maurizio Cusmà-PiccioneDepartment of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Trieste, Italy.
Antonio De LucaDepartment of Cardiothoracovascular, Echocardiography and Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Unit, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
Roberta ManganaroDepartment of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Trieste, Italy.
Eustachio AgricolaCardiovascular Imaging Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele, Siena, Italy.
This Document was Promoted by Members of the 2024-2026 SIECVI Scientific Documents Committee and Reviewed by Scipione Carerj, Mauro Pepi and Concetta Zito

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The interventional echocardiographer (IE) plays a crucial role in structural heart interventions, yet faces significant risks from ionizing radiation, often greater than those encountered by the primary interventional cardiologist (IC). This elevated exposure is due to the IE's close proximity to the patient's head and, consequently, to the X-ray source, combined with a general lack of dedicated protective equipment designed for their position. Despite growing awareness of radiation safety in the catheterization lab, the specific protection needs of IEs remain under-recognized. Recent studies have shown that IEs can receive up to 11 times more radiation than ICs during procedures guided by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), such as transcatheter edge-to-edge repair or left atrial appendage closure. These findings, together with the recent reduction in recommended dose thresholds for deterministic effects like cataract formation, emphasize the urgent need to implement effective protective measures. Radiation exposure can be significantly reduced by following the core principles of radiation safety: time, distance, and shielding. Key strategies include optimizing the IE's position based on expected fluoroscopic projections, using dedicated mobile or ceiling-mounted shields, adopting lightweight personal protective equipment, and encouraging the use of low-dose imaging protocols. Ongoing education and training, targeted not only at IEs but also at ICs, is essential to reinforce safe practices and promote a culture of radiation awareness. Technological innovations offer promising solutions. New shielding systems like the Eggnest® and Rampart

Indexed as

Interventional echocardiographyoccupational exposureradioprotectionstructural heart interventions

Identifiers

PMID41625723
PMCPMC12857803

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.