Skin dose and dose-area product values for interventional cardiology procedures

Coronary angiography and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty pro cedures performed in four different facilities were monitored in the presen t study by measuring maximum skin dose, dose-area product and other operati onal parameters. Radiographic slow film, thermoluminescent dosemeters and t ransmission ion chambers were used to measure dose related quantities. Valu es of 107-711 mGy for maximum skin dose and 27.3-370.6 Gy cm(2) for dose-ar ea product were found, together with cumulative skin dose estimates of 110- 3706 mGy. A discussion of the relationship of measured dose-area product an d skin dose values is made using a field concentration factor defined as a way to interpret the findings. No general correlation was observed between dose-area product and maximum skin dose. Cumulative skin dose estimates thr oughout a procedure should be discarded as a realistic method for assessing deterministic risk in cardiology procedures. Slow film in addition to ther moluminescent dosemeters for measurement of maximum skin dose is a good alt ernative, especially for complex interventional procedures. For repeated pr ocedures, combining film and dose-area product monitoring favours optimizat ion of radiation protection for the patient.