Episode # 27 • 03 Mar 2026
Enhancing Cardiology Practice Through Radiation Protection
What do all image-guided interventionalists and surgeons have in common? Over time, the radiation exposure and the weight of lead begin to take a toll, often in ways no one talks about until it’s too late. In this episode of BackTable Cardiology, host Dr. Hady Lichaa sits down with Dr. Bob Foster, interventional cardiologist and Chief Medical Officer of Rampart IC, for a candid conversation about the hidden occupational risks facing today’s cath lab teams.
Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction
01:03 - The Lack of Progression for Radiation Protection
06:37 - Rampart’s Origin Story
14:24 - Evaluating the Data
23:28 - Workflow & Setup Time: Lab Practicalities
28:30 - Orthopedic Ergonomics
33:06 - Beyond Cardiology: Other Interventional Surgery Specialties
36:06 - Cost, ROI, and Legislation
41:54 - Making Advanced Shielding Practical and Affordable
50:46 - Protecting the Next Generation
Resources
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More about this episode
Drawing on his extensive experience, he reflects on a career in complex coronary and peripheral intervention and the personal health crisis that forced him to confront the hidden dangers of operating in lead.
National survey data from the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) reveal a sobering trend in orthopedic injury rates, prompting a deeper look at why meaningful change has been so slow. From workflow realities and emerging clinical data to advocacy efforts, this episode explores what it will take to truly move the needle on operator safety.
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