Dosimetric approach to radiation exposure in pediatric congenital heart disease

Pediatric patients with congenital heart disease can undergo multiple fluoroscopic interven- tional cardiology procedures and are subsequently exposed to ionizing radiation during follow- up diagnostic imaging. Given the greater radiosensitivity of children compared to adults and the associated risk of radiation-induced cancer, accurate evaluation and monitoring of radia- tion exposure in the pediatric population are essential. This work focuses on the characteri- zation of Gafchromic LD-V1 films and their application in the field of organ local dosimetry in case of pediatric interventional cardiology. Representative angiographic exposures are experimentally reproduced on anthropomorphic phantoms that model the anatomies of a 1-year-old and a 5-year-old child, equipped with dedicated cavities for dosimeter placement. Gafchromic LD-V1 films are calibrated in the diagnostic X-ray tube voltage range (approximately 40 to 80 kV) using traceable irradiation conditions to establish dose–response curves. A standardized protocol is implemented for film handling, positioning, scanning and image processing to ensure consistent readout and reliable dose-map generation. The experimental program also investigates film response characteristics relevant for clinical use: construction of the dose–response calibration curve; energy dependence and dose-rate dependence across the diagnostic range; angular dependence; and measurement of the per- centage depth dose (PDD) at a representative diagnostic energy. Film characterization is carried out at the Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV) and the Hospital of Treviso, while experimental measurements on the antropomorphic phantoms are performed in the catheter- ization laboratory of the University Hospital of Padua. The project aim to investigate the performances and limitations of Gafchromic LD-V1 film dosimetry in pediatric interventional cardiology.