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Biomedical subjects

S Balter

Publications and source records attributed to S Balter.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Review of radiation safety in the cardiac catheterization laboratory.

With the increasing use of coronary arteriography and interventional procedures, radiation exposure to patients and personnel working in cardiac catheterization laboratories has increased. Proper technique to minimize both patient and operator exposure is necessary. A practical approach to radiation safety in the cardiac catheterization laboratory is presented. This discussion should be useful to facilities with well-established radiation safety programs as well as facilities that require restructuring to cope with the radiation environment in a modern cardiac catheterization laboratory.

Cardiac Catheterization

Cardiac catheterization laboratory survey: 1990. Society for Cardiac Angiography and Interventions, Laboratory Performance Standards Committee.

A survey of 117 member cardiac catheterization laboratories was undertaken by the Society for Cardiac Angiography and Interventions. The survey included numbers and types of procedures, both diagnostic and interventional, in adult as well as pediatric age groups. Radiation safety, various laboratory policies, frequency of short stay, and outpatient procedures were tabulated. Report generation, training programs, administrative organization, and laboratory equipment were all included. The results were compared with a 1978 survey. Areas of concern in terms of safety of the patient and possible underutilization of laboratories were identified.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary

Optimizing radiologic costs in the DRG environment.

Previously developed consensus algorithms expressing a suggested radiologic workup for the diagnostic related groups (DRGs) specified by the prospective reimbursement policy have proven to be useful tools for investigating radiologic decision making and the resulting economic implications. The mathematical equations for determining diagnostic and therapeutic costs for two alternative algorithms for suspected acute cholecystitis are formulated. Illustrative examples and graphic displays are given regarding how such algorithms and equations are useful in finding answers to questions about the appropriate diagnostic workup, time, and cost. Exploration of the effect of different parameter values on the choice of the appropriate algorithm is illustrated.

Algorithms

Radiation exposure to the operator performing cardiac angiography with U-arm systems.

We measured the radiation exposure received by a group of operators performing 700 coronary angiograms. All studies were performed using the brachial artery approach and the Philips Cardio Diagnost. Nineteen sites were monitored on each operator, using lithium fluoride thermoluminescent dosimeters. Four hundred examinations were performed with a table-mounted protective shield in place. Three hundred were performed without the shield. The average exposures (in mR per study) with and without the shield were 1.9/6 for the eyes and 1.4/8.3 for the thyroid. The resulting operator exposure with the shield in place is low enough so that an operator performing 25 procedures per week on a continuous basis will not exceed the recommendations of the National Commission on Radiological Protection and Units. We therefore strongly recommend the use of properly designed and appropriately positioned shield with all U-arm systems.

Angiography

The use of photochromic eyeglasses by radiologists.

Photochromic lenses which undergo a change in density with varying intensities of sunlight have been incorporated into routine eyeglasses. Laboratory tests have shown that glasses of this type do not decrease the visual acuity of the radiologist.

Eyeglasses