Effect of physician training on the X-ray dose delivered during coronary angioplasty.

Objective: To assess whether physician training helps decrease the amount of radiation delivered to patients undergoing coronary angioplasty with stent placement.

Background: Coronary angioplasty exposes patients to high doses of ionizing radiation, possibly related to equipment misuse or inappropriate training.

Methods: Reference point air kerma (K(a,r)) and kerma area product (P(KA)) were prospectively registered during a period of 6 months in patients undergoing coronary angiography and angioplasty with stent ad hoc.