Anti-radiation efficacy of face mask in interventional cardiology: a phantom study

Abstract

Background:The effectiveness of radiation-attenuating lead-acrylic face masks used in interventional cardiology has been hardly studied. Objective: Determine the effectiveness of the lead-acrylic facial mask in a simulated environment. Methods: An experimental study was carried out that compared the doses of secondary ionizing radiation received by a mannequin, which emulated the interventional cardiologist, on the surface of the left eye orbit, the mouth, and the surface of the left temporoparietal lobe. Dosimeters were used, arranged in front and behind the radiation-attenuating lead-acrylic facial mask. The projections were 50° LAO and 60°/40° LAO. The voltage was 73.8 ± 24.7 kV, the current was 582 ± 145 mA, and the dose-area product was 50.4 ± 37.9 Gy/m 2 . Results: The median radiation doses with and without the mask were 0.21 mSv (0.00-0.83) and 0.43 mSv (0.37-0.64), respectively, corresponding to a radiation attenuation of 52%, and when the mask was complemented with the leaded acrylic shield suspended from the ceiling the radiation levels were undetectable. Conclusions: The radiation-attenuating lead-acrylic face mask provides moderate attenuation that, complemented by the acrylic shield, achieves optimal attenuation.