[Impact of secondary irradiation on operators during coronary arteriography]

The activity over cellular genetic pattern of ionizing radiation can produce stochastic and unspecific damages. Interventional cardiology operators have increasing exposure times to ionizing radiation and there is no information about the real protection conferred by simple radiological protection devices.

To assess the magnitude of secondary ionizing radiation exposure of operators during conventional coronary arteriography, evaluating the radiation exposure during different beam projections and the usefulness of leaded aprons.

Ionizing radiation received by operators during coronary arteriography was measured using a Geiger-Müller Victoreen model 490 counter. The device was placed in the ventral region, covered by the leaded apron and in the unprotected dorsal region. Radiation was measured in right and left projections during fluoroscopy and shooting.

In right projection, the intensity of ionizing radiation in ventral and dorsal regions was 1.24 +/- 1.1 and 2.9 +/- 4 mR/h respectively (p = 0.08). In left projection, the figures were 2.95 +/- 3 and 7.86 +/- 7.2 mR/h respectively (p = 0.001). During shooting in left projection the radiation exposure in ventral and dorsal regions was 9.66 +/- 6.7 and 32.8 +/- 27 mR/h respectively (p < 0.001). During shooting in right projection that figures were 10.1 +/- 16 and 20.7 +/- 39.8 mR/h respectively (p = 0.09). No correlation between radiation exposure and patients surface area was observed.

Secondary radiation received by operators is higher during shooting and in left projections. Leaded apron confers a partial protection for ventral region, and great fluctuations in the magnitude of radiation exposure were recorded. Unprotected dorsal region receives a greater amount of radiation in left projections.