title: Status of radiation protection in interventional cardiology in four East European countries.
abstract: Level of staff and patient radiation protection in interventional cardiology in four counties (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia) as a part of International Atomic Energy Agency project (RER/9/093) are presented. Patient doses were assessed in terms of air kerma area product (KAP), peak skin dose (PSD) or air kerma at interventional reference point (K(IRP)). Results were available from nine hospitals: 775 patients for KAP, 157 for PSD and 437 for K(IRP). Eight centres reported KAP >100 Gy cm(2) and five centres reported values >200 Gy cm(2). From patients monitored in terms of PSD, 14 (9 %) had PSD >2 Gy and 6 (3 %) patients from those monitored in terms of K(IRP) had value >5 Gy, indicating risk of skin injury. The results indicate need for optimisation and dose monitoring in complex fluoroscopically guided cardiology interventions.
authors: Radiation and Environmental Protection Department, Vinca Institute of Nuclear Sciences, MP Alasa 12-14, Vinca, PO Box 522, 11001 Belgrade, Serbia. ociraj@vinca.rs
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Ciraj-Bjelac
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Beganović
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Faj
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Ivanovic
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Videnovic
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Rehani
mesh_terms: D017522:Bosnia and Herzegovina; D002309:Cardiology; D017523:Croatia; D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D054548:Montenegro; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015641:Radiography, Interventional / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055771:Serbia