Radiation Protection in Cardiac Catheterization Laboratories: Non-shielded Parts of the Body Contribute Significantly to the Effective Dose of the Operator

Abstract

Radiation exposure dosimetry was performed with thermoluminescence dosimeters using one Alderson Phantom in the patient position and a second one in the typical position of the operator. Various types of protective clothing as well as fixed shields were considered in the calculations. The effective dose E was determined on the basis of the recommendations of the publications 60 and 103 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection. - The doses of the unshielded organs (brain, thyroid, parts of the active bone marrow and additionally - according to the ICRP 103 approach - salivary glands, extrathoracic region and oral mucosa) contribute significantly to the effective dose of the staff. Therefore an additional shielding of these organs reduces the effective dose more than an increase of the lead equivalency of the existing apron. Relative to the exposure without lead protection, the use of only a lead apron of 0.35 mm with an additional thyroid collar reduces E to 9.7% (ICRP 103). Using a supplementary side shield and both a side and face shield E decreases to 7.0% and 2.6% respectively. We recommend face shields and thyroid protection collars as a necessary part of anti-X-ray protection for cardiac catherization laboratories.