Revista de Métodos de Diagnóstico Médico
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Radiation Exposure, Dosimetry and Staff Protection in Catheterization Laboratory

Grzegorz Raczyński and Marcin Sadowski

Introduction and objective: Effects of radiation became known to physicians in the beginning of the 20th century. Due to the development of cardiovascular imaging and interventions the use of ionizing radiation has increased rapidly in recent years, thus increasing staff and patient exposure, renewing interest in radiation protection.

State of knowledge: In catheterization laboratory patient exposure to ionizing radiation is unavoidable. Reducing the dose is not only a duty to the patient, but indirectly it applies to the operator as “scattering cloud” exposes the staff to its negative health effects. There are strategies enabling the dose delivered to patients and staff during exposure.

Summary: Physicians should be aware of the negative health effects of ionizing radiation. In selecting a treatment plan the benefits and risks to the individual should be considered. The reducing of the exposure dose to the patient in the natural way reduces the dose absorbed by the operator during the procedure. Regular quality control in catheterization laboratory, which is the responsibility of their supervisors, combined with radiation protection education also helps reduce exposure to radiation.