X-ray angiocardiography and induction of chromosome aberrations

Chromosomal aberration analysis of peripheral blood lymphocytes was made in 35 cardiologists and 36 nurses and technicians in cardiovascular laboratories of heart hospitals. Their annual effective doses calculated by their personal physical dosimetry indicated an exposure bellow the limit established by the ICRP. Results show a high frequency of acentric fragments in cardiologists and also in nurses and technicians compared to control (p<0.001) and higher percentage of acentric fragments was observed in the nurses and technicians compared to cardiologists (p=0.004). Equivalent whole body doses for six individuals ranged from 0.05-0.10 Gy. The mean micronuclei/1000 bi nucleated cells were significantly higher in the exposed personnel when compared to the matched control group (P<0.001). Follow up study of chromosome aberrations showed that the mean acentric fragments were decreased gradually during 36 months, in those who followed the radiation protection guides. The results of this study emphasize the importance of individual bio monitoring, limiting exposure and radiation safety programs