CONTEMPORARY AUSTRALIAN DOSE AREA PRODUCT LEVELS IN THE FLUOROSCOPIC INVESTIGATION OF PAEDIATRIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE

This study examines radiation dose levels delivered to children from birth to 15 y of age in the investigation of congenital heart disease (CHD) at a major Sydney children's hospital. The aims are to compare values with those derived from similar studies, to provide a template for more consistent dose reporting, to establish local and national diagnostic reference levels and to contribute to the worldwide paediatric dosimetry database. A retrospective review of 1007 paediatric procedural records was undertaken. The cohort consisted of 795 patients over a period from January 2007 to December 2012 who have undergone cardiac catheterisation for the investigation of CHD. The age range included was from the day of birth to 15 y. Archived dose area product (DAP) and fluoroscopy time (FT) readings were retrieved and analysed. The mean, median, 25th and 75th percentile DAP levels were calculated for six specific age groupings. The 75th percentile DAP values for the specific age categories were as follows: 0-30 d-1.9 Gy cm2, 1-12 months-2.9 Gy cm2, 1-3 y-5.3 Gy cm2, 3-5 y-6.2 Gy cm2, 5-10 y-7.5 Gy cm2 and 10-15 y-17.3 Gy cm2. These levels were found to be lower than the values reported in comparable overseas studies. Individual year-specific levels were determined, and it is proposed that these are more useful than the common grouping method. The age-specific 75th percentile DAP levels outlined in this study can be used as baseline local diagnostic reference levels. The needs for the standardisation of DAP reporting and for a greater range of age-specific diagnostic reference levels have been highlighted. For the first time, Australian dose values for paediatric cardiac catheterisation are presented.