DOSE REDUCTION IN FLUOROSCOPY WITH MODERN DSA EQUIPMENT

Purpose: In angiographic and interventional procedures the often long fluoroscopy times add a great deal to the total patient dose. The new Multistar T.O.P. (Siemens) is equipped with various features for dose reduction. In this study pulsed fluoroscopy was tested versus standard continuous fluoroscopy and supervisions. Materials and methods: Fluor oscopy with 3, 7.5, and 15 pulses/s in the Multistar T.O.P, were compa red to standard fluoroscopy and to reduced-dose supervision in a human pelvic phantom. The skin entry dose and pelvic dose were continuously registered. Results: The supervision mode used 58% of the dose used i n continuous fluoroscopy. Pulsed fluoroscopy with 15 pulses/s required 54%, 7.5 pulses/s 27% and 3 pulses/s. These provide adequate image qu ality with only 10 % of the standard dose. Conclusions: It was possibl e to save up to 90 % of the fluoroscopy dose in interventions and angi ographies when using the new pulsed fluoromodes available in the Multi star T.O.P.