[Secondary ionizing radiation generated by digital and analog coronary cineangiographic equipment: influence of external systems of radiologic protection].
BACKGROUND
Exposure to ionizing radiation is a known hazard of radiological procedures.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the emission of secondary ionizing radiation from two coronary angiographic equipment, one with digital and the other with analog image generation. To evaluate the effectiveness of external radiological protection devices.


METHODS
Environmental and fluoroscopy generated radiation in the cephalic region of the patient was measured during diagnostic coronary angiographies. Ionizing radiation generated in anterior left oblique projection (ALO) and in anterior right oblique projection (ARO) were measured with and without leaded protections. In 19 patients (group 1), a digital equipment was used and in 21 (group 2), an analog equipment.


RESULTS
Header radiation for groups 1 and 2 was 1194 +/- 337 and 364 +/- 222 microGray/h respectively (p < 0.001). During fluoroscopy and with leaded protection generated radiation for groups 1 and 2 was 612 +/- 947 and 70 +/- 61 microGray/h respectively (p < 0.001). For ALO projection, generated radiation for groups 1 and 2 was 105 +/- 47 and 71 +/- 192 microGray/h respectively (p < 0.001). During filming the radiation for ALO projection for groups 1 and 2 was 7252 +/- 9569 and 1671 +/- 2038 microGray/h respectively (p = 0.03). Out of the protection zone, registered radiation during fluoroscopy for groups 1 and 2 was 2800 +/- 1741 and 1318 +/- 954 microGray/h respectively (p < 0.001); during filming, the figures were 15,500 +/- 5840 and 18,961 +/- 10,599 microGray/h respectively (NS).


CONCLUSIONS
Digital radiological equipment has a lower level of ionizing radiation emission than the analog equipment.
Ramírez
A
A
Servicio de Hemodinamia, Centro Cardiovascular, Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile.
Farias
E
E
Silva
A M
AM
Oyarzún
C
C
Leyton
F
F
Ugalde
H
H
Dussaillant
G
G
Cumsille
M A
MA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction / Q000009:adverse effects; D001830:Body Surface Area; D002932:Cineangiography / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography / Q000009:adverse effects; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control; D011482:Protective Devices; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011839:Radiation, Ionizing