Evaluation of the correlation between the dose-area product values and cardiologist dose during coronary angiography using the Monte Carlo simulation (MCNPX)

Introduction: During angiography procedures, patients are particularly exposed to the primary beam while the cardiologist is irradiated by the scattered radiation arising from the table, surrounding equipment, and patient itself. Accordingly, the cardiologist’s dose is directly related to the patient dose. In the present study, the correlations between the patient's DAP and cardiologist dose are investigated by the Monte Carlo simulation method.Methods and Material: In this study, 25 cardiac angiography procedures were investigated. In each procedure, we recorded the DAP readings and the cardiologist dose as measured using an electronic personal dosimeter placed over the apron. Moreover, by using the MCNPX code, the DAP values and the dose received by the cardiologist in the chest region were calculated. For validation of the simulated spectrum, dosimetric measurements were made using a Farmer ionization chamber and a phantom. Results: The data from 18 simulations showed that there was a strong linear relationship (R2=0.71) between the two variables of cardiologist dose and patient DAP. Likewise, the obtained results of the dosimetry conducted on the patients in 25 cardiac angiography procedures revealed that there was a strong relationship (R2=0.78) between the two variables. Conclusions: The reported correlation rates express the proportionality of the physician radiation exposure with total patient’s DAP. With respect to the strong correlation coefficient obtained from the simulation method, it is recommended that this method should be verified by dosimetry. Our finding showed a linear relationship between the cardiologist dose and total dose of the patient. It is more important that the strong correlation coefficient obtained using the simulation method was confirmed by the measurements.