Objective: The present study was aimed at estimating the values of radiation doses received by physicians and patients during interventional cardiology procedures performed at a public hospital in the city of Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. Materials and Methods: Measurements were made in two cardiologists with more than ten years of experience and in 31 adult patients, with 22 of them being clinically followed-up after the procedure. The individual irradiation parameters were documented. Results: The values for maximum patients skin dose ranged between 612 and 8,642 mGy, achieving more than 2,000 mGy in 53% of the patients; such dose values may cause deterministic effects. As regards the physicians, the mean effective dose per procedure was 11 µSv, and the highest mean equivalent doses in the limbs were 923 µSv in the left foot, 514 µSv in the right foot, 382 µSv in the left hand, and 150 µSv in the left eye. Depending on the number of procedures, the doses received by the physician may exceed the dose limits established by the Brazilian and international standards. Conclusion: The obtained results indicate the necessity of adopting strategies for optimizing the radiological protection for both patients and physicians.

Keywords: Dosimetry in physicians and patients; Interventional cardiology; Dosimetry in interventional cardiology.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was aimed at estimating the doses received by physicians and patients during cerebral angiography procedures in a public hospital of Recife, PE, Brazil. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study sample included 158 adult patients, and during the procedures the following parameters were evaluated: exposure parameters (kV, mAs), number of acquired images, reference air kerma value (K_a,r) and air kerma-area product (P_KA). Additionally, the physicians involved in the procedures were evaluated as for absorbed dose in the eyes, thyroid, chest, hands and feet. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that the doses to the patients' eyes region were relatively close to the threshold for cataract occurrence. As regards the physicians, the average effective dose was 2.6 µSv, and the highest effective dose recorded was 16 µSv. CONCLUSION: Depending on the number of procedures, the doses received by the physicians may exceed the annual dose limit for the crystalline lenses (20 mSv) established by national and international standards. It is important to note that the high doses received by the physicians are due to the lack of radiation protection equipment and accessories, such as leaded curtains, screens and protective goggles.

Keywords: Dosimetry; Interventional radiology; Cerebral angiography.