Medical staff dose estimation during pediatric cardiac interventional procedures.

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Radiology
• Pediatric Cardiology

Background:

• Occupational radiation exposure is a concern for healthcare professionals performing complex interventional procedures.
• Paediatric cardiac catheterization involves intricate procedures with potential for significant radiation doses to staff.
• Establishing baseline occupational doses is crucial for implementing effective radiation safety protocols.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate occupational radiation doses to the eye lens, extremities, and whole body.
• To assess doses received during paediatric cardiac interventional and diagnostic catheterization procedures.
• To compare doses between diagnostic and therapeutic catheterization procedures.

Main Methods:

• Dosimetry measurements for eye lens, hands, and whole body.
• Analysis of occupational doses in a paediatric reference hospital.
• Extrapolation of annual dose values based on procedure frequency.

Main Results:

• The left eye consistently received higher doses than the right eye.
• Annual extrapolated eye lens doses approached regulatory limits.
• Physician hand exposure to the primary beam occurred in 82% of therapeutic and 65% of diagnostic procedures, increasing hand doses tenfold.
• Significant occupational radiation doses were recorded for eye lens and extremities.

Conclusions:

• Occupational radiation doses in paediatric cardiac catheterization warrant attention and optimization.
• There is a critical need to enhance radiation safety measures and foster a strong radiation safety culture among staff.
• Regular monitoring and implementation of protective strategies are essential to minimize risks.