Reduction of radiation exposure for patient and examiner in interventionalangiography.

Purpose: In a retrospective analysis of vascular interventional procedures, relations between parameters of the examination and radiation exposure of patient and medical personnel are examined. Material and Method: 1208 vascu lar interventional procedures are evaluated. Interventional procedures are divided into three groups: percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, implantat ion of a stent, thrombolysis. Results: Mean values;of the radiation dose of patient and radiology personnel are reported for these examinations. The m ean Value of the radiation dose of the physician was 7 mu Sv (maximum 24 mu Sv), that of the patient 1548 cGy . cm(2) (maximum 8485 cGy . cm(2)). Conc lusion: The quantity of X-rays to the patient may be lowered by using pulse d fluoroscopy and by reducing the number of radiographs. Reduction of the n umber of radiographs may be achieved by using the last-image hold and the r oad mapping mode. The operator's dose can be decreased by using additional radiation protection systems like a MAVIG(R)-radiation protection wall. The radiation dose reduction was 61% for the physician and 17% for the patient .