Journal
CARDIOLOGY
Volume 123, Issue 3, Pages 168-171Publisher
KARGER
DOI: 10.1159/000342458
Keywords
Interventional cardiology; Cataract risk; Posterior subcapsular cataract (psc); Lens opacity cath lab staff; Cataract risk to nurse
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Background: Recent studies have reported a significant increase in eye lens opacities among staff in the cardiac catheterization laboratory but indicated further studies are needed to confirm the findings. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of opacities in eyes of cardiologists, radiographers and nurses working in interventional cardiology. Methods: The eyes of 52 staff in interventional cardiology facilities and 34 age-and sex-matched unexposed controls were screened in a cardiology conference held in Kuala Lumpur by dilated slit-lamp examination, and posterior lens changes were graded. Individual cumulative lens X-ray exposures were calculated from responses to a questionnaire in terms of workload and working practice. Results: The prevalence of posterior lens opacities among interventional cardiologists was 53%, while in nurses and radiographers it was 45%. Corresponding relative risks were 2.6 (95% CI: 1.2-5.4) and 2.2 (95% CI: 0.98-4.9), for interventional cardiologists and support staff, respectively. Conclusions: This study confirms a statistically significant increase in radiation-associated posterior lens changes in the eyes of interventional cardiology staff. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel
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