Abstract
ObjectiveTransfemoral Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) has become a standard therapy for patients with aortic valve stenosis. Fluoroscopic imaging is essential for TAVI with the anesthesiologist’s workplace close to patient’s head side. While the use of lead-caps has been shown to be useful for interventional cardiologists, data are lacking for anesthesiologists.MethodsA protective cap with a 0.35 lead-equivalent was worn on 15 working days by one anesthesiologist. Six detectors (three outside, three inside) were analyzed to determine the reduction of radiation. Literature search was conducted between April and October 2018.ResultsIn the observational period, 32 TAVI procedures were conducted. A maximum radiation dose of 0.55 mSv was detected by the dosimeters at the outside of the cap. The dosimeters inside the cap, in contrast, displayed a constant radiation dose of 0.08 mSv.ConclusionThe anesthesiologist’s head is exposed to significant radiation during TAVI and it can be protected by wearing a lead-cap.
Highlights
To date about 350.000 transfemoral Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantations (TAVI) have been performed [1] with more than 13.000 in Germany in 2015 alone [2]
The anesthesiologist’s head is exposed to significant radiation during TAVI and it can be protected by wearing a lead-cap
Radiation protection has become an important topic for the interventional cardiologists [4] and reports of an increased incidence of left sided brain tumors have been published [5, 6]
Summary
Transfemoral Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) has become a standard therapy for patients with aortic valve stenosis. While the use of lead-caps has been shown to be useful for interventional cardiologists, data are lacking for anesthesiologists
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