Local diagnostic reference levels in diagnostic and therapeutic pediatric cardiology at a specialist pediatric hospital in South Africa

Abstract Introduction: Children may be at a higher risk of experiencing the detrimental effects ionizing radiation arising from medical imaging. Dose optimisation is therefore recommended to provide assurance that their exposure as low reasonably achievable. To this end, periodic assessment dose levels and establishment Local Diagnostic Reference Levels (LDRLs) in facilities necessary. There general paucity literature data pertaining pediatric interventional radiology. This study establishes LDRLs diagnostic therapeutic heart catheterization procedures specialist hospital resource constrained country. Material methods: indicators actual patient were collected archive analyzed retrospectively determine median, 25th, 75th percentiles total Air Kerma Area Product (KAP), Cumulative (CAK), Fluoroscopy Time (FT), number Cine Images (CI) selected procedures. The also age-stratified into five age groups defined by International Commission on Radiation Protection publication 135. results compared values available similar studies benchmark our levels. set percentile values. Results: For (n = 80), KAP, CAK, FT, CI 4.0 Gy·cm 2 , 31.5 mGy, 14.3 min, 315 frames, respectively 3.2 30.5 17.5 606 for 143). Conclusions: did not vary significantly those published literature, suggesting practices center comparable international norms. Regular reviews must conducted check do deviate considerably.