Coronary angiography and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty procedures: Evaluation of patients' maximum skin dose using Gafchromic films and a comparison of local levels with reference levels proposed in the literature.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the maximum skin dose (MSD) in patients undergoing interventional cardiology procedures, obtaining local reference levels and comparing these with the reference levels proposed in the literature. The patients' MSD was measured using Gafchromic XR type R films. In order to evaluate reference levels, the number of images acquired, the fluoroscopy times and the KAP(TOTAL) were recorded for each procedure. For the evaluation of the MSD, 8 coronary angiography (CA) and 16 percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) procedures, carried out in the period from May to June 2008, were analyzed. For the CA procedures the MSD values were below 0.5 Gy. For the PTCA procedures, we found a fairly good correlation between fluoroscopy time and MSD (r = 0.80, p = 0.0002) and between MSD and WFP (r = 0.863, p < 0.0001); there was a strong correlation between KAP(TOTAL) and MSD (r = 0.904, p <0.0001). Since the correlation between KAP(TOTAL) and MSD is more striking than that with fluoroscopic time and the WFP, KAP measurements are suitable for online skin dosimetry and may, therefore, be used to avoid radiation-induced skin injuries. A MSD greater than 3 Gy occurred in only one procedure. For calculus of the local reference levels, we extended the data-gathering to 30 procedure CA and to 40 PTCA: we compared local practice with that in other centers using the guidance levels proposed by Balter et al. Our median KAP values were below these proposed guidance levels; our mean KAP values were above these proposed action levels. From a first application of the proposed reference levels, it appears that, according to the recommendations of Balter et al. an investigation into local practice is not necessary.

Giordano C ，D'Ercole L ，Gobbi R ，Bocchiola M ，Passerini F ... -  《-》

Measurement of patient skin dose in vertebroplasty using radiochromic dosimetry film.

D'Ercole L ，Azzaretti A ，Thyrion FZ ，Bocchiola M ，Di Maria F ... -  《-》

Patient skin dosimetry in haemodynamic and electrophysiology interventional cardiology.

Trianni A ，Chizzola G ，Toh H ，Quai E ，Cragnolini E ，Bernardi G ，Proclemer A ，Padovani R ... -  《RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY》

Patient skin dose measurements during coronary interventional procedures using Gafchromic film.

Ying CK ，Kandaiya S 《-》

Assessment of radiation protection of patients and staff in interventional procedures in four Algerian hospitals.

This study was aimed to assess patient dosimetry in interventional cardiology (IC) and radiology (IR) and radiation safety of the medical operating staff. For this purpose, four major Algerian hospitals were investigated. The data collected cover radiation protection tools assigned to the operating staff and measured radiation doses to some selected patient populations. The analysis revealed that lead aprons are systematically worn by the staff but not lead eye glasses, and only a single personal monitoring badge is assigned to the operating staff. Measured doses to patients exhibited large variations in the maximum skin dose (MSD) and in the dose area product (DAP). The mean MSD registered values are as follows: 0.20, 0.14 and 1.28 Gy in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), coronary angiography (CA) and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) procedures, respectively. In PTCA, doses to 3 out of 22 patients (13.6 %) had even reached the threshold value of 2 Gy. The mean DAP recorded values are as follows: 21.6, 60.1 and 126 Gy cm(2) in ERCP, CA and PTCA procedures, respectively. Mean fluoroscopic times are 2.5, 5 and 15 min in ERCP, CA and PTCA procedures, respectively. The correlation between DAP and MSD is fair in CA (r = 0.62) and poor in PTCA (r = 0.28). Fluoroscopic time was moderately correlated with DAP in CA (r = 0.55) and PTCA (r = 0.61) procedures. Local diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) in CA and PTCA procedures have been proposed. In conclusion, this study stresses the need for a continuous patient dose monitoring in interventional procedures with a special emphasis in IC procedures. Common strategies must be undertaken to substantially reduce radiation doses to both patients and medical staff.

Khelassi-Toutaoui N ，Toutaoui A ，Merad A ，Sakhri-Brahimi Z ，Baggoura B ，Mansouri B ... -  《-》