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Life After Lead by Dr. HuuTam Truong

Pdf Summary

Dr. HuuTam Truong, an interventional cardiologist, shares his transformative experience using the Radiation Protection System (RPS), specifically Rampart, which has markedly improved his radiation safety and physical comfort in the cath lab. Previously, he relied daily on heavy protective gear—lead apron, glasses, and cap—which caused significant physical strain including shoulder soreness, ear aches, and back pain, especially on consecutive procedure days.<br /><br />Since adopting Rampart, Dr. Truong has largely eliminated the need for cumbersome lead glasses and caps and only occasionally wears the lead apron, dramatically reducing his physical discomfort while also decreasing radiation exposure to his body, brain, and eyes. The system includes live dosimetry, offering continuous radiation monitoring which enhances workflow confidence and safety.<br /><br />Dr. Truong identifies specific clinical challenges with the RPS and their solutions: for obese patients undergoing right radial access, radiation leakage from gaps between arm and torso is mitigated by placing a radiation pad in the gap; during femoral angiograms with micropuncture sheaths, using smaller sheaths and J wires allows angiography without compromising shield coverage; and for right heart catheterizations via internal jugular access, where room reconfiguration is disruptive, he opts to wear lead due to the procedure’s short duration and low radiation dose.<br /><br />Overall, the integration of the RPS has been life-changing for Dr. Truong, reducing both radiation risks and the physical burden of protection, while improving procedural workflow and comfort. He notes a clear preference for working in labs equipped with Rampart, highlighting its significant benefits over traditional lead-based protection methods.

Keywords

Radiation Protection System

Rampart

Interventional Cardiology

Radiation Safety

Lead Apron

Physical Comfort

Live Dosimetry

Radiation Exposure Reduction

Cath Lab Workflow

Clinical Challenges in Radiation Protection