Patient radiation exposure during coronary angiography and intervention

Purpose: To prospectively register fluoroscopic and cine times in a random fashion, and to measure patient radiation exposure from routine coronary an giography and coronary balloon angioplasty. We also evaluated an optional d ose reduction system used during interventions. Material and Methods: The incident radiation to the patient was measured as kerma area product (KAP) in Gycm(2), obtained from an ionisation chamber m ounted on the undercouch tube during 65 coronary angiography procedures and another 53 percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasties (including 29 stent procedures), mostly directly following complete coronary angiography. Results and Conclusion: The values from coronary angiography were comparabl e to other reports with a mean fluoroscopic time of 4.4 min and a mean KAP value of 62.6 Gycm(2). The corresponding figures from coronary balloon angi oplasty without stenting were lower than otherwise reported, with 8.2 min a nd 47.9 Gycm(2), respectively. The use of coronary stents did prolong the m ean fluoroscopic time (10.5 min) but did not significantly enhance the pati ent mean radiation dose (51.4 Gycm(2)). The dose seduction technique result ed. in a significant KAP value reduction of 57%. In conclusion, with regard to radiation exposure, corollary angiography and balloon angioplasty are c onsidered safe procedures.