Arrhythmias & electrophysiology
Increasing Awareness and Reducing Occupational Hazards in the Cardiac Catheterization and Electrophysiology Laboratories: Working to Eliminate Lead and Complications of Radiation in Cardiovascular Team Study
Authors' conclusion
Occupational hazards remain prevalent in the modern EP/CCL. Focused educational interventions may help to reduce injuries and risks.
Study context
- Population
- Physicians, staff, and nurses in electrophysiology and cardiac catheterization laboratories (EP/CCLs), surveyed through American College of Cardiology chapters
- Participants
- 306 initial respondents
- Outcome
- Risk factors for MSK pain/injury
Methodological detailspaired with an educational video, univariable logistic regression
- Paired with an educational video
- Univariable logistic regression
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Adjusted odds ratio (95% CI)P value
Age ≥50
2.19(1.15–4.16)
P = 0.02Lead-apron use >4 hours/day
2.39(1.31–4.39)
P = 0.05Limited knowledge of mitigation strategies
4.62(1.62–11.45)
P = 0.003Further findings
Experiences of women with prior pregnancy
- Among women with prior pregnancy, reported worsening musculoskeletal (MSK) discomfort due to occupational duties
- 41.5%
- Among women with prior pregnancy, lacked opportunities to adjust procedural load
- 52.1%
- Among women with prior pregnancy, could not reduce work hours
- 76%
Adoption of ergonomic techniques from the video · follow-up
- Reported adopting ergonomic techniques from the video
- 75.9%
Respondent characteristics
- 31 to 60 years old
- 70%
- Women
- 43%
- Interventional cardiologists
- 36%
- Nonphysician cardiovascular team members
- 30%
- >10 years' EP/CCL experience
- 64%
- Wore lead >8 hours/day
- 43%
Original publication
Increasing Awareness and Reducing Occupational Hazards in the Cardiac Catheterization and Electrophysiology Laboratories: Working to Eliminate Lead and Complications of Radiation in Cardiovascular Team Study. JACC Adv. Published 23 January 2026. doi:10.
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it