Comparison of crystalline lens dose rates in interventional cardiology for systems with and without dose optimization software

Abstract

During the last years, the use of Interventional radiology (IR) has been increasing, because compared to other clinical methods IR techniques are minimal invasive. Nevertheless, these types of surgical procedures are guided by current time images that are produced by X-rays. In the case of interventional cardiology (IC), the complexity of the procedures and production of images that are required expose the medical staff to ionizing radiation. Thus, a dosimetric control of radiation to people who are constantly involved in this type of environment is highly necessary. As most of Latin American countries, Colombia still has not implemented the crystalline lens dosimetry for professionals who are in charge of IR procedures. In addition, if we consider the decrease of the dose limit to the lens Hp(3) from 150 to 20 mSv/year proposed by the ICRP, it is important to take into account this parameter in order to optimize the practice, so the radiological risks to which interventional doctors are exposed can be reduced. In this work we investigated the level of radiation to the lens of 6 doctors dedicated to treat coronary conditions. They belong to 2 clinical centers and have conducted a total of 227 procedures of diagnostic and therapeutic type. The radiation dose measurements were made with thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) for both eyes. The results showed that doctors who do not use plumbed glasses exceeded the dose limit for crystalline lens with very few procedures per month. We also found that a recently developed dose optimization software for image processing during angiograph procedures is a factor that strongly reduces the dose to the crystalline lens. Finally, the catheter route (radial or femoral) is an irrelevant factor for the Hp(3) dose to the lens.