Radiation doses during cardiac catheterisation procedures in India: a multicentre study: Radiation dose study

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Radiology
• Medical Physics

Background:

• Minimizing radiation hazards in medical imaging is crucial.
• Establishing evidence-based radiation measures ensures patient safety and diagnostic accuracy.
• Coronary catheterisation procedures require standardized radiation benchmarks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate radiation data from coronary catheterisation procedures in India.
• To generate reference radiation levels for common procedures.
• To ensure adequate image quality while minimizing radiation exposure.

Main Methods:

• Prospective, observational study design.
• Data collection on demographics, procedures, and radiation dose.
• Establishment of dose reference limits (DRLs) using the 75th percentile.

Main Results:

• 2,906 coronary angiograms (CAG), 750 percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), and 715 CAG+PCI analyzed.
• DRLs for dose area product: 19.6 Gy·cm² (CAG), 49.8 Gy·cm² (PCI), 72.0 Gy·cm² (CAG+PCI).
• Median cumulative air kerma: 185 mGy (CAG), 533 mGy (PCI), 891 mGy (CAG+PCI). Factors like BMI, procedure type, and fluoroscopy time influenced dose.

Conclusions:

• Reference radiation dose levels for coronary procedures in India were established.
• These levels are comparable to and within the lower range of international standards.
• The study provides essential benchmarks for radiation safety in Indian cardiology.