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1: Arch Dermatol. 1996 Jun;132(6):663-7.Links
Comment in:
Arch Dermatol. 1996 Jun;132(6):695-6.
Arch Dermatol. 1997 Feb;133(2):242-3.

Chronic radiodermatitis following cardiac catheterization.

Lichtenstein DA, Klapholz L, Vardy DA, Leichter I, Mosseri M, Klaus SN, Gilead LT.

Department of Dermatology, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.

BACKGROUND: Fluoroscopy and cineradiography used during coronary angiography expose patients to some of the highest doses of ionizing radiation in diagnostic radiology. The possibility of radiation-induced damage has been discussed by several authors in the past. However, to the best of our knowledge, chronic radiation dermatitis caused by exposure to x-rays during cardiac catheterization has not been described. OBSERVATIONS: We describe 4 patients in whom chronic radiodermatitis developed following multiple cardiac catheterizations and coronary angioplasties. The cumulative radiation doses to which these patients were exposed were retrospectively calculated to be a mean of 24.6 Gy per patient, with a range of 11.4 to 34.9 Gy. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic radiodermatitis is a threat in patients undergoing multiple cardiac catheterizations and angioplasties. In susceptible patients, radiation doses as small as 11.4 Gy, which can sometimes be emitted during 1 or 2 procedures, are potentially harmful. Awareness and protective measures against this long-term side effect of cardiac catheterization should be encouraged.

PMID: 8651716 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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