Radiation dose measurements to the interventional cardiologist using an electronic personal dosemeter

The aim of this study was to investigate the use of an electronic personal dosemeter (EPD) worn by a senior cardiologist in an Interventional Cardiology (IC) Laboratory of a busy cardiac centre and how the results could help in the evaluation of radiation protection equipment used. Patient samples consist of 28 patients (10 coronary angiographies (CAs) and 18 percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasties (PTCAs)). Patient dose was measured with a dose-area product (DAP) meter. Cardiologist radiation dose value written on the EPD as well as the protective equipment used was collected. Between patient and cardiologist dose, a significant correlation was found in CA and a moderate correlation in PTCA. Mean cardiologist effective dose E per procedure was found to be 0.2 μSv in CA and 0.3 μSv in PTCA. EPD proved to be an easy, direct and straightforward way to measure the radiation dose that the cardiologist receives in an IC laboratory. © Oxford University Press 2004; All rights reserved.