Abstract
We present operator eye lens dose in cardiac angiography (DCA) and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Air kerma-area product (PKA) values were extracted from DICOM header concerning 250 patients who underwent DCA and PCI procedures. Procedures were performed using biplane digital fluoroscopy system with flat-panel detectors. PKA to eye lens dose conversion coefficients derived from literature were used to retrospectively estimate operator eye lens doses to 8 cardiologists who performed on average 20–40 IC procedures each during three month period. Based on literature review, PKA to eye lens dose conversion coefficients ranged from 0.8 to 2.2 μSv.Gy−1cm−2 (Median: 1 μSv.Gy−1cm−2). The estimated operator eye lens doses ranged from: 45.3–73.0 μSv per procedures in DCA and from: 92.9–207.8 μSv per procedures in PCI. These doses are comparable to the literature and are very close to the annual dose limit suggesting the need for routine monitoring of the eye lens dose. The results provide a starting data point for institutional optimization radiation protection of the staff in interventional cardiology.
•Operator eye lens doses were retrospectively estimated for 8 interventional cardiologist.•Eye lens doses were estimated from air kerma area product (PKA) using conversion coefficients.•Eye lens doses ranged 45.3–2007.8 μSv per procedure and from 7.20 to 19.6 mSv per year.•Presented eye lens doses necessitates inclusion in the routine monitoring via dosimetry.•The study present an important methods for operator eye lens dose evaluation.