Nuclear medicine doctors need protection from genetic damage from radiation

Radiation damage to any cells but the reproductive organs. Genetic damage. Damage to the reproductive cells. Birth defects may result.

Genetic damage from radiation highlights need to protect physicians in cath lab, Cardiovascular Business, Jan 12, 2018 | Daniel Allar A pair of studies published in October added to the growing literature on the harmful effects of radiation exposure to interventional cardiologists in the cath lab.

One study showed brain-specific microRNA (miRNAs) was significantly down regulated in operators exposed to radiation when compared to age- and sex-matched controls who had no occupational exposure. Another found genetic biomarkers for DNA damage/repair rose significantly after procedures that required radiation but then returned to baseline levels after 24 hours. Notably, the use of protective leg shielding mitigated the damage.

Charles E. Chambers, MD, who authored an editorial accompanying the studies in Circulation, spoke to Cardiovascular Business about this research and recent developments that could improve operator safety. Here are three key takeaways from that conversation:

1. These studies were novel because they showed genetic damage related to radiation exposure.

This differs from previous research, Chambers said, which centered on hard clinical outcomes or the development of orthopedic injuries from years spent wearing heavy lead clothing to shield against radiation.

“But now these two studies suggest that radiation is what we were worried about all along. It really does increase genetic alterations,” he said.

Because dysregulated miRNA has been linked to certain forms of epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease and brain cancers, the study authored by Andrea Borghini and colleagues raises the concern that radiation may also tie into cognitive impairment.

“We’re fortunate, I think, that there aren’t more tumors, there aren’t more long-term ramifications from radiations, but I also wonder—one of the articles mentioned dementia—are we missing subtleties, occupational hazards in people that are chronically exposed to radiation that we’re attributing to aging, but are enhanced by radiation?” Chambers said. “The importance of protecting the patients is always there, but we should not underestimate the importance of protecting the operator and staff.”………

3. Robotic procedures could eventually limit operators’ radiation risk.

Reducing dosage is one way to reduce risk. Two others are increasing the distance from the radiation source and decreasing the time spent near that source.

Robotic technology has the potential to address both concerns.

By having an operator perform most of a procedure away from a patient—possibly even in another room—the radiation hazard would be significantly reduced, Chambers pointed out. But even then, staff members working near the patient would require as much protection as possible…… http://www.cardiovascularbusiness.com/topics/coronary-intervention-surgery/genetic-damage-radiation-exposure-highlights-need-protect-physicians-cath-lab