CD16: a MATLAB-based application for estimating radiation doses from x-ray guided cardiac catheterizations in children

Abstract

CD16 is a MATLAB-based dosimetry system designed for rapid estimation of organ doses for x-ray guided cardiac catheterization procedures. CD16 is principally designed for epidemiological studies in which dose estimates are required for thousands of cohort members, often based on limited exposure information. The minimum data required for dose estimates are (1) total examination kerma area product (PKA), (2) patient size (age or mass), (3) x-ray spectrum represented by half value layer (HVL, in mm Al) and (4) examination type. These data can be inputted using an Excel spreadsheet. Organ dose estimates are outputted into the same spreadsheet. Doses are estimated using lookup tables of k-factors relating PKA to organ doses for a wide range of beam angles, six patient sizes and two field sizes. These K-factors were calculated using the Monte Carlo code PCXMC V2.0. CD16 initially calculates organ doses for a beam energy represented by a HVL of 4.8 mm Al, then adjusts to other beam energies if specified. Beam angles can be specified if known, otherwise CD16 assigns beam angles based on examination type. CD16 is the final version of this dosimetry system to utilise PCXMC. Future versions will use the general purpose Monte Carlo code MCNP and hybrid phantoms.