A paradigm shift to address occupational health risks in the EP laboratory

The electrophysiology (EP) laboratory has long been recognized as an environment for delivery of sophisticated health care to patients with arrhythmias that are often complex and found in the setting of complex cardiac conditions. While advances in our field have improved patient outcomes, significant health hazards still endure for the EP physicians and laboratory staff. In particular, repeated exposure to ionizing radiation, even at low levels, may increase the lifetime risk of malignancy.1 At the same time, wearing radiation protective garments exposes laboratory personnel to orthopedic risks associated with carrying the extra weight added by those garments.
Source: Heart Rhythm - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Editorial Commentary Source Type: research