Purpose
Coronary angiography, as an ionizing radiation examination that uses a contrast agent, provides important information about the anatomy of the coronary arteries. [Fig.1][1]
Radiological technologists, as professionals having adequate knowledge both in radiation protection and image quality management. According to Council Directive 2013/59Euratom, they should put in place and align all the daily activities of the catheterization laboratory by using “basic safety standards for protection against the danger arising from exposure to ionizing radiation”.[2],[3]
The radiation exposure increases risks for radiation-related diseases and causes biological...
Methods and materials
In our study, coronary angiographies were performed by using a digital ionizing radiation system (Allura Xper FD10 monoplane flat detector panel with three fields of magnification (15,20,25cm diagonal square), double filter and a standard image acquisition program mode at 15 frames per second. The control system for this equipment automatically sets the ionizing radiation exposure parameters. All studies performed by the same cardiologist, to keep a standard protocol, such as the projections which were used for the right coronary artery and the left coronary arteries....
Results
Body weight ranged from 40 to 150Kg. In group A the median and the average weights were 70 and 69.45 Kg, respectively. In group B the median and the average weights were 95.5 and 97.78 Kg, respectively. [Table 2]
Table 2: Median Values
Kg
AirKerma(mGy)
KAP(mGy.cm2)
Group A (>80Kg)
95.5
975
50924
Group B (≤80Kg)
70
624
29681
Total of patients
80.5
799.5
40448
Considering AK and KAP as the tools which measure patients’ radiation exposure, the correlation between the KAP and Kg and the...
Conclusion
Evidence of the analysis of body weight, AK, KAP after regressions shown that patients’ body weight is a strong determinant of radiation exposure during coronary angiography: the radiation exposure of overweight patients is considerably increased, compared to patients with normal weight. A further comprehensive assessment is needed for more recent and better practices, to decrease radiation exposure during cardiac catheterization. Furthermore, our department is also set to engage in further collection and analysis to find tuning protocols to individualize the radiation protection of patients, emphasizing...
Personal information and conflict of interest
A. Kolyda MSc; Radiological Technologist in Catheterization Laboratory in 'Asklepieion' General Hospital;Athens/GR
D. Papadopoulou Ph.D.; Medical Physicist in 'Asklepieion' General Hospital; Voula/GR
A. Triantafyllis MD, Ph.D., EEGC, EAPCI Certified; Interventional Cardiologist in Catheterization Laboratory in 'Asklepieion'General Hospital; Voula/GR
G. Christopoulos;Radiological Technologist in Catheterization Laboratory in 'Asklepieion'General Hospital; Voula/GR
I. Chiotelis MSc; Head Nurse in Catheterization Laboratory in 'Asklepieion'General Hospital; Voula/GR
L. Poulimenos MD, FESC;Interventional Cardiologist, Head in Catheterization Laboratory in 'Asklepieion'General Hospital;Voula/GR
References
[1]
K. P. a. D. Walters, "Indications for Coronary Angiography," inAdvances in the Prognosis at Coronary Atherosclerosis, The Prince Charles Hospital Australia, inTech, 2011.
[2]
I. A. E. A. (IAEA).
[3]
ICRP,Protection of the Patient in X-ray Diagnosis, ICRP16,Oxford: Pergamon Press, 1970.
[4]
S. B. a. D. L. Miller2, "Patient Skin Reactions From Interventional Fluoroscopy Procedures,"American Journal of Roentgenology,vol. 202, no. 4, pp. W335-W342, 2014.
[5]
M. S. L. M. E. V. D. D. L. M. S. L. S. A. J. S. a. C. M....