Background

Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) are used in cardiac patients. In this study the radiation exposure of sonographers performing TTE following MPI was evaluated.

Methods

Of 40 study patients, 30 underwent same-day ^99mTc sestamibi MPI and TTE, while another 10 underwent only TTE. Patients who underwent both studies were divided into three groups: right-handed TTE performed by an echocardiographer and right- and left-handed TTE performed by a cardiac sonographer. Seven thermoluminescent radiation dosimeter badges monitored the forehead, wrists, anterolateral right and left chest, sternal notch, and umbilical region of each examiner. Group characteristics were compared. Radiation exposures were deemed positive if >0.1 mSv.

Results

There were no statistical differences in patient weight and body mass index. The left-handed approach group had higher residual radioactivity (979 ± 73 vs 884 ± 73 MBq [P < .01] and 906 ± 81 MBq [P < .04]), but no statistical difference in duration of TTE, compared with the other two MPI groups. Radiation exposure was positive in the right anterolateral chest and hand (0.45 and 1 mSv, respectively) for the echocardiographer, the right anterolateral chest and wrist and umbilical region (0.59, 1.06, and 0.15 mSv, respectively) for the right-handed sonographer, and the left chest and hand (0.12 and 0.34 mSv, respectively) for the left-handed sonographer. Dosimeters indicated no radiation exposure in the TTE-only group.

Conclusions

Staff members performing TTE after MPI are exposed to radiation that might warrant monitoring. Altering study sequence, adopting a left-handed approach, and using other radiation-reducing techniques can minimize the degree of exposure.

中文翻译：

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经胸超声心动图接近心肌灌注显像期间工作人员辐射暴露的评估

背景

心脏患者使用经胸超声心动图（TTE）和心肌灌注显像（MPI）。在这项研究中，对MPI后进行TTE的超声检查医师的辐射暴露进行了评估。

方法

在40例研究患者中，有30例接受了当天^99m Tc的司他他比MPI和TTE的治疗，而另外10例仅接受了TTE的治疗。接受两项研究的患者分为三组：由超声心动图检查者进行的右手TTE和由心脏超声检查者进行的右手和左手TTE。七个热辐射辐射剂量计徽章监视每个检查者的前额，手腕，左右前胸部和左胸骨，胸骨切迹和脐带区域。比较组特征。如果> 0.1 mSv，则认为辐射暴露为阳性。

结果

患者体重和体重指数无统计学差异。左手入路组的残余放射性较高（979±73 vs 884±73 MBq [ P  <.01]和906±81 MBq [ P  <.04]），但与TTE持续时间相比，无统计学差异。其他两个MPI组。超声心动图检查者的右前胸和手的放射线暴露为阳性（分别为0.45和1 mSv），右手超声检查者的右前胸和手腕和脐带区域（分别为0.59、1.06和0.15 mSv）为阳性，左手超声检查者的左胸和手（分别为0.12和0.34 mSv）。剂量计表明仅TTE组没有辐射暴露。

结论

在MPI之后执行TTE的工作人员暴露于可能需要监控的辐射下。更改研究顺序，采取左手方法以及使用其他减少辐射的技术可以最大程度地减少暴露程度。