This study was performed on a cardiac catheterization laboratory where these procedures are carried out using a single plane angiographic system, General Electric Innova IGS 5, optimized with low dose protocols and included in a quality assurance program.

To estimate the typical exposure parameters for these procedures, data from a population of 316 CC, 46 CA and 19 DCG adult patient procedures were considered. The patient population analyzed were defined for the following criteria: CA 85±20 kg and 174±15 cm; CC 79±20 kg and 170±15 cm; all DCG patients were considered as it was assumed their height and weight were not relevant to determine eye radiation exposure.

The mean radiation parameters used were then determined and used for the patient measurement simulations. The anthropomorphic tissue-equivalent phantom used to simulate a patient was the Kyoto Kagaku Whole Body Phantom "PBU-50”.

Measurements were performed using two electronic dosimeters, Mirion DMC 3000, calibrated for X-ray on operational quantities Hp(10) and Hp(0.07). Measurements were performed at a fixed distance from the table, at neck (150 cm) and face (165 cm) heights.

For each procedure, three distinct projections were simulated, and their relative contributions estimated. Additionally, transmission factors of lead aprons and ceiling-mounted lead shields were measured and applied to the readings as correction factors. The values of Hp(10) estimated for under apron protection and the Hp(10) values measured at neck level were used for the calculation of staff effective dose (E) as suggested by the two dosimeters combination method in ICRP Publication 139 [3].

The values of Hp(0.07) were used as a reasonable estimate of equivalent dose to the face skin and also to the lens of the eye once no shielding glasses were routinely in use [4]. Effective dose and skin / eye lens dose were normalized to the dose area product (DAP) rate of each exposure to obtain data independence of exposure parameters.