The radiation dose to operators in performing percutaneous coronary intervention: a comprehensive study

Objective: To measure the radiation dose to the main radiation areas of the chief operator in performing percutaneous coronary intervention for coronary heart disease, and to provide helpful guidance for radiation protection. Methods: Seven conventional positions commonly used in coronary intervention for coronary heart disease were selected. Under un-protected condition, the surface incident dose rates on the selected seven areas of the chief operator were separately measured at different heights and different fields of view, as well as with different acquisition frequencies, based on which the surface incident dose distribution map was drawn and the results were evaluated and analyzed. Results: The results showed that the dose peaks at the selected important areas were within 20-70 cm high range, while the dose sub-peaks were within 130-160 cm high range. The maximum surface incident dose was seen in left foot position (spider position). The surface incident dose rate in high acquisition frequency was much higher than that in low acquisition frequency. Besides, the surface incident dose rate using large field of view was obviously higher than that using small field of view. Conclusion: In performing percutaneous coronary intervention, close attention should be paid to the radiation protection for 20-70 cm high range area, and the radiation protection for 130-160 cm high range area should not be ignored when spider position is employed. Besides, low acquisition frequency and small field of view exposure parameters should be used when the image quality as well as the manipulation will not be affected so that the absorbed dose can be reduced as far as possible. (authors)