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Radiation reduction measures yielded decreases in air kerma
Institution of X-ray reduction measures was associated with significant decreases in radiation exposure during diagnostic catheterization and PCI, concluded study findings.
The researchers noted that the guiding principle for X-ray use in the cath lab is to use as low a dose as possible. In the current study, the researchers began a program on Jan. 1, 2013 that aimed to reduce the default fluoroscopic frames per second from 10 to 7.5. They also attempted to place increased emphasis on using low-dose acquisition. The intention was to investigate whether these measures impacted total air kerma during diagnostic catheterization and PCI.
Patients from 2012 were matched with those from 2013 based on age, sex, body surface area, total fluoroscopy time and total acquisition time. Further stratification was based on diagnostic catheterization or PCI use.
From 2012 to 2013, a significant reduction in median total air kerma occurred during diagnostic catheterization (625 mGy vs. 798 mGy; P<.001) and PCI (1,675 mGy vs. 2,463 mGy; P<.001).
The researchers also projected corresponding rates for the 2-year period based on projections of how the radiation reduction measures would perform. Results of this analysis indicated a significant reduction in fluoroscopy- and acquisition-based air kerma rates among patients in the 2013 cohort.
“With reduction in the default fluoroscopic frame rate and a greater use of low-dose acquisition, there has been a marked reduction in the total air kerma and air kerma rates for [diagnostic catheterization] and PCI,” the researchers concluded.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.