Biodosimetric assessment of radiation during endovascular procedures
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Biodosimetric assessment of radiation exposure during endovascular procedures in patients and operators
IRAS ID
168743
Contact name
Bijan Modarai
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King’s College London
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) particularly thoracoabdominal repairs using branched and/or fenestrated stent grafts, are associated with relatively high radiation exposure to patients and operators. Similarly, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), commonly known as coronary angioplasty and trans-catheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) (replacement of the aortic valve of the heart through access via the blood vessels) require continuous x-ray guidance throughout the procedures leading to radiation exposure to both medical staff and patients.
Patients prior to and/or after such procedures are often required to have CT scans as part of the clinical care and are also exposed to variable radiation doses.
Radiation monitoring is essential for staff who are regularly exposed to radiation. Our current methods of monitoring include the wearing of dosimeters and recording the dose of radiation delivered during the procedure. Bio-dosimetry, not carried out routinely, can measure the effect of radiation exposure in biological specimens (such as blood). Circulating lymphocytes are sensitive to radiation exposure and their expression of markers of DNA damage such as ɣH2AX and ATM can be used as biomarkers for radiation exposure.
The aim of this study is to carry out biodosimetric assessment of radiation exposure in both patients and operators to provide us with a more sophisticated indicator of irradiation exposure compared with conventional methods of assessment.
This study involves analysing blood samples from patients within the vascular/cardiac services disease who undergo surgical procedures involving radiation and the operators who carry out these procedures.
The study will be conducted at Guy's and St Thomas' Foundation Trust, Academic Department of Vascular Surgery,and it is expected to last for 2 years. By the end of this study, we aim to have a better understanding of the true biological effects of repeated radiation exposure and possible strategies to prevent long term damage.
REC name
London - City & East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/1111
Date of REC Opinion
13 Jun 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion