Ep. 24 Mitigating Orthopedic Strain and Radiation Effects: Best Practices in the Cath Lab with Dr. Sahil Parikh

This is a friendly reminder to unclench your jaw, sit up straight, and take a deep breath before diving into the latest episode of BackTable Cardiology! Host Dr. Sameh Sayfo from Baylor Scott & White Health speaks with Dr. Sahil Parikh, a renowned interventional cardiologist from Columbia University, about the health of interventional cardiologists. They discuss the various occupational hazards interventional cardiologists may be at risk for, particularly focusing on radiation exposure and orthopedic injuries caused by wearing lead aprons. The conversation touches on the need for better education and mandatory training for upcoming cardiologists to prevent such injuries. --- SYNPOSIS As Dr. Parikh shares his personal experiences with orthopedic issues related to the extensive use of lead protection, he highlights the importance of radiation safety and advocates for incorporating advanced protective technologies in the labs. Dr. Sayfo and Dr. Parikh also discuss the significant trials presented at TCT 2025, their potential impact on clinical practice, and the importance of advocacy by societies like SCAI and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) in improving interventional cardiologists' working conditions. --- TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Introduction01:58 - Orthopedic Issues in Interventional Cardiology04:00 - The Impact of Wearing Lead13:06 - Ergonomics and Risk Factors15:47 - Preventative Measures and Solutions23:22 - The Role of Medical Societies27:00 - Radiation Reduction Devices Overview30:57 - Barriers to Adopting Safety Technologies35:40 - Addressing Burnout in Interventional Cardiology42:06 - Highlights from TCT 2025 --- RESOURCES Dr. Sahil Parikh Provider Profile https://doctors.columbia.edu/us/ny/new-york/sahil-a-parikh-md-161-fort-washington-avenue Dr. Sameh Sayfo Provider Profile https://www.bswhealth.com/physician/sameh-sayfo Cardiovascular Research Foundation's Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (CRF TCT) Conference 2025 - The Global Forum for Interventional Cardiology https://www.tctconference.com/ Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventionshttps://www.scai.org/ American College of Cardiologyhttps://www.acc.org/