title: A pilot study exploring the possibility of establishing guidance levels in x-ray directed interventional procedures.
abstract: This article summarizes the dosimetric results of an International Atomic Energy Agency coordinated research program to investigate the feasibility of adopting guidance levels for invasive coronary artery procedures. The main study collected clinical data from hospitals located in five countries. A total of 2265 coronary angiograms (CA) and 1844 percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) were analyzed. Substudies evaluated the dosimetric performance of 14 fluoroscopes, skin dose maps obtained using film, the quality of CA procedures, and the complexity of PCI procedures. Kerma-area product (PKA) guidance levels of 50 and 125 Gy cm2 are suggested for CA and PCI procedures. These levels should be adjusted for the complexity of the procedures performed in a given institution.
authors.affiliation: Columbia University Medical Center, 627 West 165th Street, New York, New York 10032, USA. stb2001@nyp.org
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Balter
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vano
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ortiz Lopez
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bernardi
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cotelo
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Faulkner
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nowotny
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Padovani
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ramirez
mesh_terms: D001822:Body Burden; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D015641:Radiography, Interventional / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D012062:Relative Biological Effectiveness