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 harm.[4],[5],[2] Risks can be stochastic or deterministic (non-stochastic) effects (i.e.: skin injuries, cataractogenesis).[6],[4],[2],[7]
Monitoring and recording of radiation exposure are essential, during each specific examination, as adequate information for further protection, both patients and healthcare staff. [4],[5]
Major factors, which have an impact on radiation exposure in patients and healthcare staff, are the exposure time, modes of operations, use of image magnification (either geometric or electronic), the source to image distance (SID), and particularly for this case is the bodyweight, which produces more scatter radiation. [8],[9]
The major factor, contributing personnel’s radiation exposure during the examination, is the scatter produced as the radiation travels through the patients’ body. The scatter radiation is affected by patients’ body weight.
In this study, the question is whether the radiation exposure is affected by patients’ body weight, during coronary angiography.