Personnel protection during cardiac catheterization with a comparison of the hazards of undercouch and overcouch X-ray tube mountings

Abstract

The doses received by the staff of the cardiac catheterization laboratory of the Brompton Hospital, London, have been measured at various positions upon their bodies. The measurements have been combined with the findings of a radiation survey to compare the hazards associated with the overcouch X-ray tube mounting now employed, with those of the undercouch tube mounting in use for four years previously. It is seen that the advantages of the overcouch X-ray tube are accompanied by increased potential radiation hazards to the staff. In a busy department diligent attention to protection discipline is essential to restrict radiation dosages, to the cardiologist in particular, to the maximum levels given in the Code of Practice (H.M.S.O., 1972).