Radiation Exposure to Angiographer During Coronary Arteriography Using the U arm Image Amplifier

Abstract

Radiation exposure to the angiographer was measured using thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD), commercial film badges, and appropriate ionization survey meters. Data were collected during 47 coronary artery examinations with the lead overleaf. During a single coronary examination, the angiographer receives 0.9 mR to the lens and 2.8 mR to the hand. The calculated yearly exposure to the angiographer performing 10 examinations per week is 450 mR to the lens, 9% of the maximum permissible dose (MPD), and 1400 mR to the hand, 2% of the MPD. Exposure rates for the left anterior oblique (LAD) and right anterior oblique (RAO) projections during cine and fluoroscopy were taken at the position occupied by the angiographer. Scatter radiation is 5-10 times greater in the LAO projection. The second trial was monitored during 18 coronary artery examinations minus the lead overleaf. A significant decrease in radiation exposure was accomplished through the use of the lead overleaf.

Standardization of Occupational Dose to Patient DAP Enables Reliable Assessment of Radiation-Protection Devices in Invasive Cardiology

“…The respective attenuation ratios at eye and thyroid heights were approx. 2 % ( Table 1): i. e., far below published ratios of local dose and DAP in conjunction with lead glass shielding of 29 € 20 % for the eyes and 21 € 18 % for the thyroid region [14,34,35]. Our findings furthermore disclose that, under in vivo conditions -with conventional overcouch and undercouch radiation protection of 0.5-mm lead equivalence -1.0-mm lead-equivalent aprons and collars proved to be Fig.…”

Radiation hazards to the cardiologist. A report of a subcommittee of the British Cardiac Society.

“…Current practice uses sensitive image amplifiers, compound angulated x ray sets, and much shorter examination times because of the greater skills of the operators. Begg et al (1975) using the Philips Cardiodiagnost and Sones technique required a mean fluoroscopy time of 8-4 minutes with an average cine recording time at 30 fps of 54 seconds. The index finger dose was 0-28 mSv and the lens dose was 0009 mSv per procedure with the lead curtain in position and doses were 10 to 20 times higher if the lead curtain was not in position.…”