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Description
Pediatric interventional cardiology procedures are widely performed for both the diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart diseases. Although these procedures present lower complication rates compared with conventional surgery, they may involve significant exposure to ionizing radiation. In this context, radiation protection is particularly relevant, as children are more radiosensitive and have a longer life expectancy, increasing the potential risk of late radiation effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate radiation dose-related parameters in pediatric interventional cardiology procedures performed at a children reference hospital in Brazil. The following indicators were analyzed: dose–area product (DAP), cumulative air kerma at the interventional reference point (Ka,r), fluoroscopy time, and number of cine acquisitions. A total of 215 procedures were retrospectively reviewed and classified according to their purpose (diagnostic or therapeutic) and level of complexity. The results showed that procedures categorized as more complex were not necessarily associated with higher radiation exposure levels. This finding suggests that, in addition to technical complexity, operational variables related to procedure management — such as the patient’s clinical condition, the degree of team dependence, and the operator’s experience — may significantly influence the radiation doses delivered to pediatric patients. These results highlight the importance of comprehensive dose monitoring and optimization strategies in pediatric interventional cardiology, contributing to improved radiation protection practices and patient safety.