Radiodermatitis Following Cardiac Catheterization

We read with interest the recentArchivesarticle by Lichtenstein et al 1 describing 4 patients with radiodermatitis induced by radiocardiographic procedures. In the past 3 years we have observed 6 patients who developed radiodermatitis following multiple cardiac catheterizations. The patients' characteristics are summarized in the Table . All our patients, like those described in the article by Lichtenstein et al, had undergone coronary angiography and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Although it has not been possible to determine the radiation doses delivered, in all but 1 case (patient 3), 2 angioplasties and at least 1 coronary angiography were performed on each patient, suggesting that the radiation dose was high. Patient 6, for example, underwent 1 coronary angiographyand 2 successive angioplasties during a 3-week period because of a relapse of arterial stenosis. None of our patients, unlike those of Lichtenstein et al, mentioned any acute radiodermatitis immediately after