Efficacy of MAVIG X-Ray Protective Drapes in Reducing Operator Radiation Dose in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory

BACKGROUND: Interventional cardiologists are occupationally exposed to high doses of ionizing radiation. The MAVIG X-ray protective drape (MXPD) is a commercially available light weight, lead-free shield placed over the pelvic area of patients to minimize operator radiation dose. The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of the MXPD during routine cardiac catheterization, including percutaneous coronary interventions. METHODS: We performed a prospective, randomized controlled study comparing operator radiation dose during cardiac catheterization and percutaneous coronary intervention (n=632) with or without pelvic MXPD. We measured operator radiation dose at 4 sites: left eye, chest, left ring finger, and right ring finger. The primary outcomes were the difference in first operator radiation dose (μSv) and relative dose of the first operator (radiation dose normalized for dose area product) at the level of the chest in the 2 groups. RESULTS : The use of the MXPD was associated with a 50% reduction in operator radiation dose (median dose 30.5 [interquartile range, 23.0–39.7] μSv in no drape group versus 15.3 [interquartile range, 11.1–20.0] μSv in the drape group; P<0.001) and a 57% reduction in relative operator dose (P<0.001). The largest absolute reduction in dose was observed at the left finger (median left finger dose for the no drape group was 104.9 [75.7–137.4] μSv versus 41.9 [32.6–70.6] μSv in the drape group; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The pelvic MXPD significantly reduces first operator radiation dose during routine cardiac catheterization and percutaneous coronary intervention.