Effect of radiation monitoring method and formula differences on estimated physician dose during percutaneous coronary intervention.
BACKGROUND
Currently, one or two dosimeters are used to monitor radiation exposure in most cardiac laboratories. In addition, several different formulas are used to convert exposure data into an effective dose (ED).


OBJECTIVE
To clarify the effect of monitoring methods and formula selection on the estimated ED for physicians during percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs).


METHODS
The ED of physicians during cardiac catheterization was determined using an optically stimulated luminescence dosimeter (Luxel badge). Two Luxel badges were worn: one beneath a personal lead apron (0.35-mm lead equivalent) at the chest and one outside of the apron at the neck.


RESULTS
The difference in the average ED of seven physicians was approximately fivefold (range 1.13-5.43 mSv/year) using the six different formulas in the clinical evaluation. The estimated physician ED differed markedly according to both the monitoring method and formula selected.


CONCLUSIONS
ED estimation is dependent on both the monitoring method and the formula used. Therefore, it is important that comparisons among laboratories are based on the same monitoring method and same formula for calculating the ED.
Chida
K
K
Department of Radiological Technology, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tohoku University, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Japan. chida@mail.tains.tohoku.ac.jp
Morishima
Y
Y
Masuyama
H
H
Chiba
H
H
Katahira
Y
Y
Inaba
Y
Y
Mori
I
I
Maruoka
S
S
Takahashi
S
S
Kohzuki
M
M
Zuguchi
M
M
D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D006801:Humans; D008433:Mathematics; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010820:Physicians; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D011835:Radiation Protection; D015641:Radiography, Interventional / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods