OCCUPATIONAL DOSE DURING ADULT INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY: FIRST VALUES WITH PERSONAL ACTIVE DOSIMETERS IN CHILE

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Radiological Protection
• Cardiology

Background:

• Interventional cardiology procedures involve significant radiation exposure for medical staff.
• Accurate occupational dosimetry is crucial for monitoring and managing radiation risks in healthcare settings.
• Digital active personal dosimeters offer real-time dose monitoring capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report initial occupational dose measurements for medical staff during adult interventional cardiology procedures.
• To assess radiation exposure levels for physicians, nurses, and radiographers using digital dosimetry.
• To compare measured doses against established occupational dose limits.

Main Methods:

• Digital active personal dosimeters were used to measure personal dose equivalent Hp(10).
• Measurements were conducted for physicians, nurses, and radiographers during 59 interventional cardiology procedures.
• Dose values were recorded over the lead apron to assess effective shielding.

Main Results:

• Mean occupational doses (Hp(10)) per procedure were 47.6 μSv for physicians, 6.2 μSv for nurses, and 4.3 μSv for radiographers.
• Physicians received substantially higher doses compared to nurses and radiographers.
• Calculations indicated that physician doses could surpass the new eye lens dose limit without protective measures.

Conclusions:

• Physicians in interventional cardiology face the highest occupational radiation exposure.
• Digital dosimetry provides valuable data for assessing and managing radiation risks in these procedures.
• Adherence to and potential revision of protective strategies are necessary to ensure staff safety, particularly for physicians, to prevent exceeding dose limits.