Adult doses during lower limb angioplasty procedures at the imaging department of a general hospital in Malta.

Abstract

Purpose and Objectives: The objectives of this study were to measure the cumulative KAP and cumulative fluoroscopy time values to adult patients undergoing lower limb angioplasty procedures at the imaging department of a general hospital in Malta, compare these values with the values found in the international literature, investigate whether there is any correlation between these values and relevant patient size variables, and suggest room DRLs. Methodology: The cumulative KAP and cumulative fluoroscopy time were measured separately for the diagnostic and therapeutic components of the angioplasty procedures carried out on adults. The scatter graphs for cumulative KAP and cumulative fluoroscopy time against patient size variables were drawn and analysed for any correlations. Separate mean values of cumulative KAP and cumulative fluoroscopy time for standard mass patients were calculated and set as room DRLs. Results: The main results of the study were: a) The average values of cumulative KAP for the diagnostic and therapeutic components of the study were 6.3 Gycm2 and 6.7 Gycm2 respectively, for standard mass patients who underwent lower limb angioplasty procedures. These values were generally lower than those found in the international literature. b) The average values of cumulative KAP for standard patients were set as room DRLs. c) The study confirmed that there is little correlation between cumulative KAP and cumulative fluoroscopy time and patient size variables. Conclusions: The dose values incurred in the study are generally lower than those found in the international literature indicating a good level of optimization. Good optimization practices observed were the use of pulsed fluoroscopy, low dose mode and close collimation. Further optimization can be achieved through a greater use of the road mapping function and dose spreading.