The RAY’ACT project is a nationwide, multicentre survey program aimed at evaluating patient radiation protection (RP) during coronary angiography (CA) and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in French non-university public hospitals, which represent>30% of the national activity for PCIs, and 60% of the emergency cases. We present the updated reference levels based on the results of the second survey conducted in 2013 (RAY’ACT2).

RP parameters from 48,547 CAs and 40,026 PCIs performed at 61 centres during 2013 and routinely registered in professional software were extracted and analysed retrospectively. Kerma-area product (KAP), fluoroscopy time (FT), number of acquired frames (Nb F) and runs (NR), and total Air Kerma at interventional reference point (KA, r) were analysed separately for CAs and PCIs (elective and ad hoc pooled). All procedures of the year were included.

The table shows the medians (Q1-Q3) of the RP parameters, updated RLs based on the 75th percentiles of the values for CA and PCI (bold), and previous RLs (RAY’ACT1, 2010).

Between 2010 and 2013, a 20 to 30% decrease was observed in medians and Reference Levels (Q3) for main RP parameters, including KAP and total Air Kerma.

Abstract 0254 – Table: Results2013 (RAY’ACT2) 61 centres2010 (RAY’ACT1) 44 centresCAN=48,547N=31,066KAP (Gy.cm²)20.9 (11.8-35.7)27.2 (15.5-45.2)FT (min)3.3 (2.1-5.7)3.7 (2.3-6.3)Nb Frames404 (284-566)553 (388-769)KA,r (mGy)294 (164-498)421 (240-695)PCIN=40,026N=25,356KAP (Gy.cm²)45.2 (25.6-77.6)56.8 (32.8-94.6)FT (min)9.8 (6.3-15.4)10.3 (6.7-16.2)Nb Frames676 (465-960)837 (578-1193)KA,r (mGy)747 (421-1285)1052 (589-1788)