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Risk for work-related injuries persists among interventional cardiologists
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Work-related orthopedic injuries were reported by half of interventional cardiologists who responded to a survey conducted by the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions.
The survey focused on orthopedic injuries to the spine, hip, knees and ankle and radiation-associated problems, including cancers and cataracts. In total, 314 interventional cardiologists (mean age, 49 ± 6 years) responded in the fall of 2014.
Of the 49.4% of participants who reported at least one orthopedic injury, the most common injuries were lumbar spine complications (34.4%), cervical spine disease (24.7%) and hip, knee or ankle joint problems (19.6%). Age was the most significant correlate associated with orthopedic injury (P < .001). About 30% of participants aged 41 to 50 years reported orthopedic issues, and the incidence decreased in older participants. Mean annual caseload also was associated with orthopedic injuries; the researchers reported an increasing prevalence of orthopedic issues with annual caseloads of at least 900.
The findings showed a “small but substantial” prevalence of cancer, according to the researchers. About 7% of interventional cardiologists reported limiting their personal caseload due to radiation exposure and 9.3% reported having a health-related period of absence. The most common radiation-related issues were cataracts (5.5%), those involving the skin (4.8%), and hematologic and cancerous diseases (4.8%). More than 3% of participants also reported nephrolithiasis. Approximately 18.5% of respondents occasionally fail to wear personal radiation badges, and 28.6% never wear radiation badges.
On average, the participants had been practicing interventional cardiology for 16 ± 4 years. The mean annual caseload of each participant was 380 ± 249 diagnostic procedures and 200 ± 129 interventional procedures.
Lloyd W. Klein
“The results of the [Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions] survey highlight the unique health risks that interventional cardiologists and cath lab staff face as they diagnose and treat cardiovascular disease,” Lloyd W. Klein, MD, FSCAI, professor of medicine at Rush Medical College in Chicago and Cardiology Today’s Intervention Editorial Board member, said in a press release. “Most concerning is the fact that these risks have increased since interventional cardiologists were last surveyed in 2004. The health and safety of our patients is always our top priority, but these findings point to a very real need to address workplace safety for interventional cardiologists and cath lab staff.” - by Stephanie Viguers
Disclosure: One research reports working with a company working on radiation protection systems.
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