Comparison of two angiographic systems in paediatric interventional cardiology

The aim of this work was to analyse the radiation dose for patients and staff between X-ray systems, a new biplane with flat-panel detectors (FDs) and a conventional system equipped with image intensifier (II). Entrance surface air kerma (ESAK) and scatter doses were measured on polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) phantoms of different thicknesses (from 4 to 16 cm). The ESAK values for the different acquisition modes and PMMA thicknesses were higher for the II in comparison with FDs. For the II, the scatter dose rates ranged from 0.67 to 12.2 mSv h(-1) at the eye position of the cardiologist during fluoroscopy and cine modes. At the lower extremities, these values were 1.11 and 24.24 mSv h(-1). In the case of the FDs, these values ranged from 0.24 to 0.67 mSv h(-1) for eye lens and from 0.73 to 2.01 mSv h(-1) for the position of cardiologist's ankle. The newly installed X-ray system showed an average reduction factor of up to 9.7 times for ESAK values. For the staff with an average reduction factor of 15.9 times at the eye position during fluoroscopy and cine modes, no protective tools are used. At the lower extremities, this value was 7.6 times.