Radioprotección en cateterismo cardiaco pediátrico

Abstract

Cardiology interventionists perform a large amount of increasingly complex procedures with a good success rate, but with a higher dose of radiation, not only for the patient, but also for the occupational exposed workers. There are simple methods to minimise the dose received. These include minimising the time of the radiographic equipment and the number of images acquired, as well as using the technologies available for reducing the dose for patients. The geometry of the equipment should be adjusted, to collimate, avoid reflected radiation zones, as well as using all the shielding available. Quality controls should also be made on the imaging equipment, as well as using personal dose meters to know the dose received.The efficient use of methods not only requires education and training for all personnel occupationally exposed, but also the availability and use of radiation protection elements in the laboratory and for the equipment. There must be a regular review of the equipment and investigation of doses received by the staff, accompanied by the necessary changes in the way the procedures are performed, in order to ensure improved radiation protection practices in the cardiovascular intervention laboratory.