Intravascular irradiation using Re-186 liquid-filled balloon catheters: correlation between experimental and...

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Radiotherapy
• Cardiovascular Interventions

Background:

• Intravascular radiation therapy is crucial for preventing restenosis after coronary angioplasty.
• Accurate prediction of radiation dose distribution is essential for optimizing treatment efficacy and safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the agreement between Monte Carlo simulations and experimental measurements of radiation dose distribution.
• To validate the use of MCNP4B simulations for intravascular radiation therapy planning.

Main Methods:

• Radiation dose measurements using thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) and radiochromic film.
• Monte Carlo simulations performed using the MCNP4B code system.
• Experiments conducted using a rhenium-186 (Re-186) liquid-filled balloon catheter in a tissue-equivalent phantom.

Main Results:

• Monte Carlo simulations showed good agreement with experimental dose measurements within statistical uncertainty.
• A specific dose of approximately 15 Gy at 0.5 mm depth was determined for 55 mCi of Re-186 delivered over 5 minutes.
• Minor discrepancies in radiation penetration were observed, potentially due to experimental setup.

Conclusions:

• Monte Carlo simulations (MCNP4B) are a valuable tool for predicting radiation dose distribution in intravascular brachytherapy.
• The validated simulation method provides confidence for designing clinical intravascular radiation therapy strategies.
• This approach supports the development of advanced radiation dose delivery methods for cardiovascular applications.