PATIENT RADIATION-DOSES DURING CARDIAC-CATHETERIZATION PROCEDURES

The objective of the present project was the determination of the dose received by patients during cardiac procedures, such as coronary angi ography, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and ste nt implantation. Thermoluminescent dosemeters (TLDs), suitably calibra ted, were used for the measurement of the dose received at four anatom ical locations on the patient's skin. A dose-area product (DAP) meter mas also used. The contribution of cinefluorography to the total DAP w as higher than that of fluoroscopy. A DAP to effective dose conversion factor equal to 0.183 mSv Gy(-1) cm(-2) was estimated with the help o f a Rando phantom. Thus, the effective dose received by the patients c ould be assessed. Mean values of effective dose equal to 5.6 mSv, 6.9 mSv, 9.3 mSv, 9.0 mSv and 13.0 mSv were estimated for coronary angiogr aphy, PTCA, coronary angiography and nd hoc PTCA, PTCA followed by ste nt implantation and coronary angiography and ad hoc PTCA followed by s tent implantation, respectively.