ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Catheter laboratories are high-radiation exposure environments, especially during X-ray procedures like percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and electrophysiological studies. Radiation exposure poses risks of stochastic (e.g., cancer) and deterministic (e.g., skin changes) effects. This study assessed radiation safety and health practices in a cardiac catheterization unit to optimize radiation safety. A cross-sectional study in Cairo University Hospital (March-September 2019) evaluated 700 patients and healthcare workers. Real-time radiation measurements, educational lectures, and radiation protection measures were implemented in three phases. Data on radiation exposure, procedures, and compliance were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: The total procedure time and fluoroscopy time per cardiologist did not significantly differ between phases, but there was a statistically significant reduction in the mean total cumulative radiation doses between Phase I and Phase III for cardiologists (P = 0.013). Among nurses and technicians, there was no significant difference in radiation doses between the two phases. Significant correlations were found between operators' radiation doses, procedure time, and fluoroscopy time. Patients' radiation doses decreased significantly from Phase I to Phase III, with correlations between dose, procedure time, and gender. Compliance with radiation protection measures was suboptimal. CONCLUSIONS: Compliance with radiation safety standards in the cardiac catheterization unit at the Cairo University Hospital needs improvement. The study highlights the importance of adhering to radiation safety principles and optimizing protective measures to reduce radiation exposure for both patients and healthcare personnel. Despite low compliance, significant reductions in radiation doses were achieved with increased awareness and adherence to specific protection measures. Future efforts should focus on enhancing radiation safety protocols and organ-specific radiation impact assessments.
ABSTRACT
The aim of the work was to tack the radiation exposure from dose preparation down to patient release during nuclear cardiac imaging. A total of 111 patients were recruited and external exposure was measured using a standard calibrated survey meter. Five phases have been determined including dose preparation, injection, post-injection, patient setup and patient release. An average effective dose of 0.87 ± 0.2, 8.1 ± 2.0, 12.3 ± 2.1, 8.7 ± 1.9 and 7.1 ± 1.3 µSv were recorded as staff external exposure due to patient injection, post-injection (rest), recovery phase (stress), patient setup and patient release, respectively. On average, patient-to-staff effective dose rate coefficient was 0.04 ± 0.007 µSv MBq/m2 h. Post-stress phase is the most critical time point where staff members receive the highest radiation dose. The study has mapped the relative contribution of radiation doses and can also be used as simple prediction model in facility design and local rules as well as safety measure.