Impact of anthropometric variables on radiation dose in interventional radiology

To establish typical values (TVs) for air kerma at the reference point (Ka,r, mGy) and fluoroscopy time (minutes) in 4 interventional procedures: vascular angiography (pelvic/lower limbs), vascular angioplasty (pelvic/lower limbs), coronary angiography, and coronary angioplasty. The study also aimed to assess the influence of body mass index (BMI) and identify other clinical factors associated with radiation exposure.

A retrospective analysis of 2200 patient examinations was performed at a large hospital. Demographic, anthropometric, dosimetric data were extracted from fluoroscopy equipment reports and electronic medical records. Typical values were calculated overall and stratified by procedure type and BMI category.

Variation in TVs was observed across procedure types and BMI groups. Ka,r values ranged from 185.0 mGy (underweight) to 796.5 mGy (class III obesity), with an overall TV of 413 mGy. Fluoroscopy time demonstrated a correlation with radiation dose. Age and sex influenced exposure but to a lesser degree. Relying on aggregated TVs may mask clinical differences, leading to under- or overestimation of patient dose.

Tailoring TVs to patient BMI and procedure type enhances dose assessment accuracy, supporting optimized radiation protection strategies in clinical practice.

This study demonstrates that anthropometric characteristics have measurable impact on radiation dose indicators in interventional radiology and provides BMI-stratified TVs based on a clinical dataset. Although multiple factors influence radiation exposure, including procedural complexity and operator experience, anthropometry remains an independent contributor. The TVs presented here support protocol optimization and contextualization of local practice.