Ethical considerations on ionizing radiation and radiological protection in relation to nuclear cardiology

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.12706655

Keywords:

ionizing radiation, medical ethics, myocardial perfusion imaging, radiation effects, shielding against radiation

Abstract

Introduction: patients and healthcare personnel are exposed daily to ionizing radiation, from which they must be protected. In practice, radiation protection involves ethical aspects that cannot be ignored by both.

Objective: to describe some ethical aspects of the use of ionizing radiation and radiological protection in nuclear medicine, with emphasis on the specialty of cardiology.

Methods: a review in the PubMed, Medline, SciELO and LILACS databases was carried out using keywords and DeCS/MeSh terms. Forty-three articles in Spanish and English were selected (26 reviews, nine original articles, and eight articles with recommendations or clinical practice guidelines). Those that presented basic concepts, ethical foundations, and analysis on radiological protection were chosen, most of them from the cardiology specialty.

Development: radiation protection emerged as a medical field due to the frequent use of ionizing radiation and the recognition of its side effects on patients and healthcare personnel. It is therefore based on bioethics. Indications for nuclear cardiology studies must be based on their risks and benefits, respect for the dignity of people, and prudence in thought and action.

Conclusions: radiological protection and its ethical aspects are inherent to the use of ionizing radiation in medical studies or treatments. In the specialty of cardiology, frequent nuclear imaging examinationsand medical procedures entails radiological risks for patients and healthcare personnel. Therefore, decisions must be based on the basic bioethical principles of justification, optimization, and limitation

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Author Biographies

Denia Bonilla Padron, Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico “Hermanos Ameijeiras”. La Habana

Máster en Investigación en Aterosclerosis. Profesor Instructor. Investigador Agregado. Especialista de Primer Grado en Cardiología.

Roberto León Castillo, Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico “Hermanos Ameijeiras”. La Habana

Doctor en Ciencias Médicas. Especialista de Segundo Grado en Neurología. Investigador Titular. Académico Titular. Profesor Asistente.

Lissette Mejías Pérez, Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico “Hermanos Ameijeiras”. La Habana

Especialista de Primer Grado en Medicina General Integral e Imagenología. Profesor Asistente. Investigador Agregado.

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Published

2024-07-12

How to Cite

1.
Bonilla Padron D, León Castillo R, Mejías Pérez L. Ethical considerations on ionizing radiation and radiological protection in relation to nuclear cardiology. Mediciego [Internet]. 2024 Jul. 12 [cited 2024 Jul. 16];30:e3927. Available from: https://revmediciego.sld.cu/index.php/mediciego/article/view/3927

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Review article