title: Radiation dose in coronary angiography and intervention: initial results from the establishment of a multi-centre diagnostic reference level in Queensland public hospitals.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Radiation dose to patients undergoing invasive coronary angiography (ICA) is relatively high. Guidelines suggest that a local benchmark or diagnostic reference level (DRL) be established for these procedures. This study sought to create a DRL for ICA procedures in Queensland public hospitals.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected for all Cardiac Catheter Laboratories in Queensland public hospitals. Data were collected for diagnostic coronary angiography (CA) and single-vessel percutaneous intervention (PCI) procedures. Dose area product (P KA), skin surface entrance dose (K AR), fluoroscopy time (FT), and patient height and weight were collected for 3 months. The DRL was set from the 75th percentile of the P KA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  2590 patients were included in the CA group where the median FT was 3.5 min (inter-quartile range = 2.3-6.1). Median K AR = 581 mGy (374-876). Median P KA = 3908 uGym(2) (2489-5865) DRL = 5865 uGym(2). 947 patients were included in the PCI group where median FT was 11.2 min (7.7-17.4). Median K AR = 1501 mGy (928-2224). Median P KA = 8736 uGym(2) (5449-12,900) DRL = 12,900 uGym(2).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study established a benchmark for radiation dose for diagnostic and interventional coronary angiography in Queensland public facilities.
authors.affiliation: The Prince Charles Hospital Chermside, Queensland, Australia ; School of Medicine, University of Queensland St. Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Crowhurst
authors.affiliation: The Prince Charles Hospital Chermside, Queensland, Australia ; Biomedical Technology Services, Health Services Support Agency, Queensland Health Herston, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Whitby
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Technology Services, Health Services Support Agency, Queensland Health Herston, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Thiele
authors.affiliation: Allied Health Professions' Office of Queensland Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Toni
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Halligan
authors.affiliation: Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Herston, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Westerink
authors.affiliation: Princess Alexandra Hospital Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Crown
authors.affiliation: Cardiac Clinical Informatics Unit - Queensland Health Herston, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Jillian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Milne
keywords: Coronary angiography; coronary intervention; diagnostic reference level; radiation dose