Objective:

To advocate for the routine implementation of enhanced radiation protection devices in fluoroscopy laboratories.

Approach:

• Panel Composition: Led by the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions, with endorsements from multiple professional societies.
• Consensus Development: Utilized a modified Delphi process requiring 75% agreement among writing-group members.
• Evidence Review: Conducted literature reviews for individual sections; however, no systematic review or formal risk-of-bias assessment was reported.

Key Findings:

• Enhanced radiation protection devices can reduce operator exposure by 80% to over 99%.
• Evidence primarily comes from observational studies and small randomized trials.
• Long-term clinical benefits of enhanced devices remain uncertain, with no established reduction in cancer or other health outcomes.

Interpretation:

The panel acknowledges the lack of definitive evidence linking these devices to improved health outcomes.

Limitations:

• No systematic review or formal risk-of-bias assessment conducted.
• Supporting evidence varied significantly by device and study design.

Conclusion:

The panel calls for prospective studies on health outcomes related to enhanced radiation protection devices.

Sources:

• Journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions
• JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions
• Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology