BACKGROUND: Invasive cardiologic procedures expose patients and physicians to the risks of ionizing radiation. The aim of this study is to determine patterns and predictors of radiation overexposure during cardiologic procedures. METHODS: Prospective cohort study to investigate patients undergoing invasive cardiologic procedures between August 2010 and January 2011 in flat detector fluoroscopy systems. Clinical, angiographic and radiation exposure characteristics were recorded in a dedicated database. Radiation exposure patterns were determined in patients undergoing coronary angiography, elective (e-PCI) and ad hoc (AH-PCI) percutaneous coronary intervention. Independent predictors of increased radiation exposure were identified by multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The study population included 670 patients, 419 undergoing coronary angiography, 137 e-PCI and 114 AH-PCI. The mean radiation dose received by the patients was 561.8 ± 368.1 mGy (coronary angiography), 1,125.5 ± 1,120 mGy (e-PCI) and 1,293.4 ± 726.3 mGy (AH-PCI). Dose-area product was 37,725.8 ± 27,027.5 mGy.cm² (coronary angiography), 61,643.1 ± 64,383.7 mGy.cm² (e-PCI) and 77,973.4 ± 49,959.3 mGy.cm² (AH-PCI). Predictors of increased radiation exposure were body weight [odds ratio (OR) 1.03, confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.05; P = 0.003), e-PCI (OR 11.9, CI 4.3-33.2; P < 0.001) and AH-PCI (OR 15.5, IC 5.4-43.9; P < 0.001) CONCLUSIONS: Radiation exposure patterns during invasive cardiologic procedures using flat detector fluoroscopy systems are below the threshold established by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Body weight, e-PCI and AH-PCI are predictors of radiation overexposure.
Heart catheterization; Radiation, ionizing; Radiation exposure; Exposure control to radiation
