New articles published: V. 14 n. 1 (2026)

Retrospective study of radiation exposures during interventional cardiology procedures performed at the University Cardiovascular Center of Uruguay

Abstract: The number of interventional cardiology procedures has increased rapidly during the last decades. Fluoroscopic X-ray procedures, such as coronary angiography and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, are considered the largest source of medical occupational exposure, either for patients or operators, causing deleterious health effects. In this respect, several modifications in classical interventional cardiology procedures as well as the incorporation of radiation protection protocols for reducing radiation exposure have been developed. To adequately know the success in the application of these changes, the reference values of radiation exposure for different interventional cardiology procedures should be established. For this purpose, a retrospective, cross-sectional and descriptive study was carried out at the University Cardiovascular Center from the Faculty of Medicine (University of the Republic) of Uruguay between 2018 and 2020, with the aim to know the frequency of procedures performed as well as the average of delivered radiation dose, the fluoroscopy time and the Kerma-rea product for every interventional procedure. Urgent angioplasty procedure was the most frequent interventional procedure performed, producing the highest exposure level of occupational radiation workers and patients. It was established for the first time in Uruguay reference levels for the three most frequent interventional cardiology procedures using the third quartile of radiation exposure parameters employed (Total dose delivered, Kerma-area product and fluoroscopy time). Reference values obtained were in agreement with the ones found at international level. Read full article.