Considerations on dose constraints in interventional cardiology - first approach to establishing dose constraints

Various aspects related to establishing dose constraints (DCs) in interventional cardiology (IC) based on their features as defined in the recommendations of Publication 103 by the ICRP and the Basic Safety Standard Directive are presented. Preliminary DC values are proposed for the personal dose equivalent at 10 mm and 3 mm depth (H_p(10) and H_p(3) respectively). The methodology was based on the analysis of dose distributions and third quartile doses. Two data sources were used a) doses from monitoring of occupational exposure in IC facilities and b) annual doses calculated based on EURALOC project survey responses from interventional cardiologists (ICs). DCs are set to be constraints on the annual doses of ICs in a single workplace and values ranging from 0.4 to 2.0 mSv for H_p(10) and 6.0 to 10.0 mSv for H_p(3) were derived for this study. Higher DC values for Hp(3) are considered inappropriate, as they may risk exceeding the 20  mSv eye lens dose limit, particularly for physicians working across multiple sites. Since the use of DCs is an optimization tool for the occupational exposure due to individual sources within a workplace, the final selection of the DC values is refined by assessing the use of radiation protection measures. The proposed ranges of DCs facilitates optimization and better compliance with regulatory limits by ensuring that for all workplaces all sources of exposure are accounted for, leading to a more comprehensive radiation protection programme. The findings highlight the need for further research to refine the methodology of DC determination.