Gender-based radiation exposure and clinical outcomes in peripheral endovascular intervention for limb ischemia: A prospective study.

Background: Peripheral endovascular intervention (PEVI) is performed using radiation. Radiation has deleterious health consequences for patients and operators.

Aim: To investigate the gender radiation disparities and procedural outcomes in PEVI.

Methods: A prospective observational study was performed in 186 consecutive patients (65 ± 12 years) at an academic medical center from January 2019 to April 2020 (mean follow-up of 3.9 ± 3.6 months) comparing the gender radiation disparity and outcomes of PEVI (n = 147 underwent intervention, 79.0%). Groups were divided into women (n = 99, 53.2%) and men (n = 87, 48.4%). Primary endpoints included air kerma, dose area product (DAP), fluoroscopy time, and contrast use. Secondary endpoints included all-cause mortality, acute myocardial infarction, acute kidney injury, stroke, repeat revascularization, major adverse limb event, and the composite of complications.

Results: Men showed increased DAP compared with women (15221.2 ± 25858.5 µGy × m² vs 9251.7 ± 9555.3 µGy × m², P = 0.047), but no significant difference in air kerma or any other primary endpoints. In the secondary endpoints, no significant difference was found between gender.

Conclusion: Men had increased DAP indicating more radiation absorption in the exposed area. Gender outcomes showed no difference in complications. Thus, PEVI can be safely performed in men or women.