Paediatric interventional cardiology procedures guided by fluoroscopy imaging can impart substantial radiation doses, making dose optimisation essential for younger patients. This study aims to establish the first national diagnostic reference levels for common paediatric interventional cardiology procedures using multicentre patient dose data. A retrospective analysis was performed of 196 procedures in patients younger than 16 years and weighing less than 80 kg, conducted over 12 months in three Paraguayan hospitals. Kerma-area product, Pₖa, and cumulative air kerma at the patient entrance reference point, Kₐ, r, were extracted from system dose reports. Diagnostic reference levels were defined as the 75^{th} percentile of Pₖa, and Kₐ, r, stratified by recommended age and weight groups. The Pₖa, values increased 4. 2-35. 8 Gycm? across age bands and from 4. 3-49. 8 Gycm? across weight bands. Corresponding Kₐ, r, 75^{th} percentile values ranged from 83. 9-456. 1 mGy by age and from 87. 7-530. 0 mGy by weight. For the most frequent procedures, Pₖa 75^{th} percentile values were 8. 0-10. 2 Gycm? . These national values were consistent with previously reported Latin American data. These values provide a basis for optimisation, quality assurance and regional comparison in paediatric interventional cardiology in Paraguay.
Ubeda et al. (Wed,) studied this question.