Coronary artery rotation in native and stented porcine coronary arteries.

Introduction: Coronary arteries are exposed to several complex biomechanical forces during the cardiac cycle. These biomechanical forces potentially contribute to both native coronary artery disease, development of atherosclerosis and eventual stent failure. The aim of the present study was to characterize and define coronary artery axial rotation and the effect of stent implantation on this biomechanical factor.

Redundant protective barriers: minimizing operator occupational risk.

Background: The ubiquitous use of less invasive therapeutic angiographic procedures has created the milieu for long-term occupational risk of cancer and genetic defects. This study set out to determine the relative effectiveness of redundant radiation protective barriers and their impact on operator total-body-ionizing radiation exposure in the catheterization suite.

Methods: Thermolucent dosimeter x-irradiation was measured inside and outside personal and movable protective barriers used concurrently during 50 consecutive procedures by a single operator.