Reduction of radiation exposure for patient and examiner in interventional angiography.

Purpose: In a retrospective analysis of vascular interventional procedures, relations between parameters of the examination and radiation exposure of patient and medical personnel are examined. Material and Method: 1208 vascular interventional procedures are evaluated. Interventional procedures are divided into three groups: percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, implantation of a stent, thrombolysis. Results: Mean values;of the radiation dose of patient and radiology personnel are reported for these examinations. The mean Value of the radiation dose of the physician was 7 mu Sv (maximum 24 mu Sv), that of the patient 1548 cGy . cm(2) (maximum 8485 cGy . cm(2)). Conclusion: The quantity of X-rays to the patient may be lowered by using pulsed fluoroscopy and by reducing the number of radiographs. Reduction of the number of radiographs may be achieved by using the last-image hold and the road mapping mode. The operator's dose can be decreased by using additional radiation protection systems like a MAVIG(R)-radiation protection wall. The radiation dose reduction was 61% for the physician and 17% for the patient.