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Project title

Validation and Estimation of Radiation skIn Dose in Interventional Cardiology

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

University Hospital Limerick

Lead Applicant

Aoife Gallagher

Project Abstract

In interventional cardiology (IC), patients may be exposed to high doses to the skin resulting in tissue reactions (skin burns) following single or multiple procedures. As the number and complexity of IC procedures have been steadily growing, patient-specific dose calculation in IC was identified as a top-priority topic by EURADOS, EURAMED and by ICRP Committee 3. Software to estimate maximum skin dose (MSD) has been developed to address this matter, however the capabilities & accuracy of these calculations vary greatly among vendors. In addition, reporting of MSD and the related accuracy in the Radiation Dose Structured Report (RDSR) are not harmonised. Furthermore there is currently no acceptance testing and quality control protocols for such systems. This study aims to : ? focus on the harmonisation of RDSR & validation of relevant software products in Interventional Cardiology with an aim to optimise radiation protection of patients. ? establish Interventional Reference Dose Levels, frequency of high-dose procedures & dose reduction strategies as part of a multi-centric data collection programme. ? establish protocols for acceptance testing and quality control of skin dose calculation software for different radiological platforms. Scientific dissemination is foreseen through participation in national and international conferences, workshops addressed to physicians, radiographers and physicists. At least two articles will be published with open-access in international peer?reviewed journals.

Grant Approved

�15,625.00

Research Hub

Healthy Environment

Research Theme

Health and well being

Start Date

01/02/2018

Initial Projected Completion Date

29/02/2020