title: Radiation dose and image quality for adult interventional cardiology in Chile: a national survey.
abstract: The aim of this work was to investigate the differences in dose settings and image quality among 10 X-ray systems used for interventional cardiology in Chile. Entrance surface air kerma (ESAK) was measured on a phantom of 20 cm thickness of polymethyl methacrylate slabs. Image quality was evaluated using DICOM images of a test object Leeds TOR 18-FG for cine mode acquisition, through the numerical parameters signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), high-contrast spatial resolution (HCSR) and figure of merit. ESAK rate values for fluoroscopy modes ranged between 7.1 and 121.7 mGy min(-1). For cine mode, ESAK values per frame ranged from 63 to 400 µGy fr(-1). SNR and HCSR parameters for cine mode varied from 4.8 to 8.6 and 0.4 to 10, respectively. FOM values resulted from 6.9 to 64.5 among the different X-ray systems. Results show important differences between systems and point out the need to launch an optimisation programme.
authors: Clinical Sciences Department, Health Sciences Faculty and CIHDE, Tarapaca University, Arica, Chile. arturoube@yahoo.es
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Ubeda
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Vano
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Miranda
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Leyton
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Valenzuela
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Oyarzun
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002309:Cardiology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002677:Chile; D006321:Heart / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate / Q000737:chemistry; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D015641:Radiography, Interventional
chemical_list: D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate