The genotoxic effect of interventional cardiac radiologic procedures on human chromosomes

In recent years an important part of the ionizing radiation that human have been exposed for diagnostic purposes are interventional radiologic procedures. However, patients and staff members are exposed to X-ray during these procedures. It is estimated that X-rays lead to DNA damage and carcinogenesis. Contrast agent, whose effect on DNA is unknown, is also used during interventional cardiology procedure for imaging the heart vessels. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of X-rays and contrast agent on chromosomes of human patients. Peripheral blood samples were taken from 50 patients (30 males, 20 females, ages between 38-75 years). Chromosome analysis of peripheral lymphocytes in 50 patients (30 men and 20 women aged 38-75 years) were performed at 3 different periods; before the interventional radiologic procedure, 24 hours and 1-3 months after the procedure. In our study, chromosome analysis was also performed on 17 staff members working during interventional radiological procedures to investigate the effect of X-rays. Standard cytogenetic analysis techniques were used for this study. The frequency of chromosomal aberrations was significantly higher in patients 24 hours after the interventional radiologic procedures than pretreatment (p=0,000). At the same time, chromosomal aberrations after 24 hours compared with those taken 1-3 months later, shown that the chromosomal aberrations were significantly reduced after 1-3 months (p=0,000). We also found that the frequency of chromosomal aberrations was also statistically higher in patients exposed to high radiation doses (p=0,042). Compared with the control group (n=30), chromosomal aberrations were found significantly higher in workers exposed to radiation. Our findings have shown that X-rays and contrast agents that used in interventional radiological cause chromosomal damage. The coronary heart patients should be carefully adjusted by the type and amount of medication, the type and frequency of radiological diagnostic procedures and the patients and staff should be careful.