Patient radiation exposure during carotid artery stenting

ObjectivesThe main purpose of this study was to document the radiation doses to patients during carotid stenting.Material and methodFluoroscopy and exposure time, air kerma and dose-area product during carotid artery stenting in 160 patients were retrospectively reviewed with regard to body mass index, degree of stenosis and use of cerebral protection devices.ResultsTotal air kerma was lower than 0.5 Gy in 80%, 0.5–1 Gy in 17% and higher than 1 Gy (maximum 1.2) in 3% of patients. Mean total dose-area product value for carotid stenting was 54 Gy cm2. The mean air kerma (fluoroscopy), air kerma (exposure), total air kerma and dose-area product (fluoroscopy), dose-area product (exposure), total dose-area product of patients with body mass index within the range 25–29.9 and with body mass index >30 were significantly increased compared to that of patients with body mass index 18–24.9 (H = 40.2, df = 2; p = 0.0000001 and p = 0.000003, respectively).ConclusionCarotid artery stenting is a relatively safe radiolo...