Primary operator radiation dose in the cardiac catheter laboratory

Radiation from cardiac angiography procedures is harmful to patients and the staff performing them. This study sought to investigate operator radiation dose for a range of procedures and different operators in order to investigate trends and optimise dose.

Real-time dosemeters (RTDs) were worn by operators for angiography procedures for 3 years. Dose-area product (DAP) and RTD were collected. RTD was normalised to DAP (RTD/DAP) to compare radiation dose and radiation protection measures. Comparisons were made across procedure categories and individual operators.

In 7626 procedures, median and 75th percentile levels were established for operator dose for 8 procedure categories. There was a significant difference in all operator dose measures and DAP across procedure categories (p<0.001). DAP, RTD, and RTD/DAP were significantly different across 22 individual operators (p<0.001).

DAP was significantly different across procedure categories and a higher RTD was seen with higher DAP. RTD/DAP can demonstrate radiation protection effectiveness and identified differences between procedures and individual operators with this measure. Procedures and individuals were identified where further optimisation of radiation protection measures may be beneficial. A reference level for operator dose can be created and audited against on a regular basis.

This study demonstrates that operator dose can be easily and routinely measured on a case by case basis to investigate dose trends for different procedures. Normalising the operator dose to DAP demonstrates radiation protection effectiveness for the individual operator which can then be optimised as part of an ongoing audit program.