Radiation exposure during endovascular aneurysm repair.
BACKGROUND
Endovascular stent-grafting is an established option for the repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) that can involve prolonged manipulation under radiological control. The aim was to determine the average radiation exposure sustained during endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and the first year of postoperative surveillance.


METHODS
Prospective radiation dose data were recorded and used to calculate dose area product (DAP) values for 96 patients undergoing EVAR. The DAP data were then used to determine the entrance skin dose (ESD), an indicator of potential skin damage, and the effective dose, an indicator of long-term cancer risk, for each patient.


RESULTS
The median ESD during EVAR was 0.85 (interquartile range 0.51-3.74) Gy. The threshold for possible radiation-induced skin damage of 2 Gy was exceeded in 29 per cent of procedures. The effective dose of radiation in the first year following EVAR was 79 mSv.


CONCLUSIONS
Radiation doses administered during EVAR were higher than previously thought, with a potential risk of radiation-induced skin damage and later malignancy.
Weerakkody
R A
RA
Department of Vascular Surgery, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK.
Walsh
S R
SR
Cousins
C
C
Goldstone
K E
KE
Tang
T Y
TY
Gaunt
M E
ME
D000368:Aged; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000601:surgery*; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods; D013504:Cardiovascular Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D012867:Skin / Q000528:radiation effects*; D015607:Stents; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000009:adverse effects*