IntroductionThe purpose of this study was to quantify the reduction in patient radiation dose by X-ray imaging technology using image noise reduction and system settings for neuroangiography and to assess its impact on the working habits of the physician.MethodsRadiation dose data from 190 neuroangiographies and 112 interventional neuroprocedures performed with state-of-the-art image processing and reference system settings were collected for the period January–June 2010. The system was then configured with extra image noise reduction algorithms and system settings, which enabled radiation dose reduction without loss of image quality. Radiation dose data from 174 neuroangiographies and 138 interventional neuroprocedures were collected for the period January–June 2012. Procedures were classified as diagnostic or interventional. Patient radiation exposure was quantified using cumulative dose area product and cumulative air kerma. Impact on working habits of the physician was quantified using fluoroscopy time and number of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) images.ResultsThe optimized system settings provided significant reduction in dose indicators versus reference system settings (p<0.001): from 124 to 47 Gy cm2 and from 0.78 to 0.27 Gy for neuroangiography, and from 328 to 109 Gy cm2 and from 2.71 to 0.89 Gy for interventional neuroradiology. Differences were not significant between the two systems with regard to fluoroscopy time or number of DSA images.ConclusionX-ray imaging technology using an image noise reduction algorithm and system settings provided approximately 60% radiation dose reduction in neuroangiography and interventional neuroradiology, without affecting the working habits of the physician.

Iliac artery DSA performed using a dose-reduction and real-time advanced image noise reduction technology results in image quality that is noninferior to conventional DSA but with significantly lower patient and scatter radiation exposure (P < .001).

BackgroundPediatric catheterization exposes patients to varying radiation doses. Concerns over the effects of X-ray radiation dose on the patient population have increased in recent years. This study aims at quantifying the patient radiation dose reduction after the introduction of an X-ray imaging technology using advanced real time image noise reduction algorithms and optimized acquisition chain for fluoroscopy and exposure in a pediatric and adult population with congenital heart disease.MethodsPatient and radiation dose data was retrospectively collected (July 2012–February 2013) for 338 consecutive patients treated with a system using state of the art image processing and reference acquisition chain (referred as “reference system”). The same data was collected (March–October 2013) for 329 consecutive patients treated with the new imaging technology (Philips AlluraClarity, referred as “new system”). Patients were divided into three weight groups: A) below 10 kg, B) 10–40 kg, and C) over 40 kg. Radiation dose was quantified using dose area product (DAP), while procedure complexity using fluoroscopy time, procedure duration and volume of contrast medium.ResultsThe new system provides significant patient dose reduction compared to the reference system. Median DAP values were reduced in group A) from 140.6 cGy·cm2 to 60.7 cGy·cm2, in group B) from 700.0 cGy·cm2 to 202.2 cGy·cm2 and in group C) from 4490.4 cGy·cm2 to 1979.8 cGy·cm2 with reduction of 57%, 71% and 56% respectively (p < 0.0001 for all groups).ConclusionsDespite no other changes in procedural approach, the novel X-ray imaging technology provided substantial radiation dose reduction of 56% or higher.

Coronary angiography and intervention can expose patients to high radiation dose. This retrospective study quantifies the patient dose reduction due to the introduction of a novel X-ray imaging noise reduction technology using advanced real-time image noise reduction algorithms and optimized acquisition chain for fluoroscopy and exposure in interventional cardiology. Patient, procedure and radiation dose data were retrospectively collected in the period August 2012-August 2013 for 883 patients treated with the image noise reduction technology (referred as "new system"). The same data were collected for 1083 patients in the period April 2011-July 2012 with a system using state-of-the-art image processing and reference acquisition chain (referred as "reference system"). Procedures were divided into diagnostic (CAG) and intervention (PCI). Acquisition parameters such as fluoroscopy time, volume of contrast medium, number of exposure images and number of stored fluoroscopy images were collected to classify procedure complexity. The procedural dose reduction was investigated separately for three main cardiologists. The new system provides significant dose reduction compared to the reference system. Median DAP values decreased for all procedures (p < 0.0001) from 172.7 to 59.4 Gy cm(2), for CAG from 155.1 to 52.0 Gy cm(2) and for PCI from 229.0 to 85.8 Gy cm(2) with reduction quantified at 66, 66 and 63 %, respectively. Based on median values, the dose reduction for all procedures was 68, 60 and 67 % for cardiologists 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The X-ray imaging technology combining advanced real-time image noise reduction algorithms and anatomy-specific optimized fluoroscopy and cine acquisition chain provides 66 % patient dose reduction in interventional cardiology.

PurposeTo compare image quality and radiation exposure between a new angiographic imaging system and the preceding generation system during uterine artery embolization (UAE).Materials and MethodsIn this retrospective, IRB-approved two-arm study, 54 patients with symptomatic uterine fibroids were treated with UAE on two different angiographic imaging systems. The new system includes optimized acquisition parameters and real-time image processing algorithms. Air kerma (AK), dose area product (DAP) and acquisition time for digital fluoroscopy (DF) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) were recorded. Body mass index was noted as well. DF image quality was assessed objectively by image noise measurements. DSA image quality was rated by two blinded, independent readers on a four-rank scale. Statistical differences were assessed with unpaired t tests and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests.ResultsThere was no significant difference between the patients treated on the new (n = 36) and the old system (n = 18) regarding age (p = 0.10), BMI (p = 0.18), DF time (p = 0.35) and DSA time (p = 0.17). The new system significantly reduced the cumulative AK and DAP by 64 and 72%, respectively (median 0.58 Gy and 145.9 Gy*cm2 vs. 1.62 Gy and 526.8 Gy*cm2, p < 0.01 for both). Specifically, DAP for DF and DSA decreased by 59% (75.3 vs. 181.9 Gy*cm2, p < 0.01) and 78% (67.6 vs. 312.2 Gy*cm2, p < 0.01), respectively. The new system achieved a significant decrease in DF image noise (p < 0.01) and a significantly better DSA image quality (p < 0.01).ConclusionsThe new angiographic imaging system significantly improved image quality and reduced radiation exposure during UAE procedures.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00270-017-1821-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.