Radioprotective Light-weight Caps in the Interventional Cardiology Setting

The null hypothesis is that the XPF 0.5mm lead-equivalent caps attenuation is equal to the XPF 0.3mm lead-equivalent and standard cap attenuations. The alternative hypothesis is that the XPF 0.5mm lead-equivalent cap attenuation is superior or inferior to the XPF 0.3mm lead-equivalent and standard cap attenuations. The groups will be compared separately and a pooled analysis, comparing XPF 0.5mm and 0.3mm combined vs. standard is also planned.The radiation protection (radiation dose reduction) expressed as a percentage was calculated by subtracting radiation measured underneath the cap from radiation measured outside the cap and then dividing this difference by the product of radiation measured outside the cap multiplied by 100.

The cumulative radiation doses were defined as the summation of all correspondent equivalent doses measured.

After completion of the last procedure on each day, the operators were asked to rate the comfort of wearing the cap on a scale from 0 (unbearably heavy, badly fitting) to 100 (very light, well fitting).

After completion of the last procedure on each day, the caps worn by the operators were weighed to assess comfort of wearing the standard cap, XPF 0.3mm and XPF 0.5mm caps. The operators were asked to rate the comfort of wearing the cap on a scale from 0 (unbearably heavy, badly fitting) to 100 (very light, well fitting).