Coronary angiography and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty procedures: Evaluation of patients' maximum skin dose using Gafchromic films and a comparison of local levels with reference levels proposed in the literature

For calculus of the local reference levels, we extended the data-gathering to 30 procedure CA and to 40 PTCA: we compared local practice with that in other centers using the guidance levels proposed by Balter et al. Our median KAP values were below these proposed guidance levels; our mean KAP values were above these proposed action levels. From a first application of the proposed reference levels, it appears that, according to the recommendations of Balter et al. an investigation into local practice is not necessary.