Evaluation of radiation dose reduction by barium composite shielding in an angiography system

Abstract

A shield made of barium sulfate for interventional angiography was analyzed for X-ray spectrum transmission and radiation dose rate using an anthropomorphic phantom to evaluate radiation dose reduction. The barium sulfate comprised nanoparticles for a 2-mm-thick layer, and the shield was 40 × 60 cm in size with a lead equivalent of 0.06 mmPb. X-ray energy spectra were measured before and after the use of barium composite shields with the anthropomorphic phantom. The radiation dose rate was reduced by 20% from 55 to 44 mR/min (p < 0.05) using the barium composite shield, and by 32.4% from 526 to 355.7 mR/min at the flank (p < 0.05). Using an eco-friendly radiation shield mixed with barium sulfate, the radiation dose in the angiography system was reduced by 20–32.4%. The image quality was maintained and these results can be used to appropriately reduce the radiation dose in clinics.