Reduction of Radiation Doses in Cardiac Imaging, Part I: Minimally Invasive Cardiovascular Procedures

Abstract

Fluoroscopically guided minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic cardiovascular procedures constitute an essential component of the contemporary practice in medicine. Such procedures are however associated with radiation exposure and its attendant hazards. Given the exponential increase in both the type and number of various cardiovascular procedures over the past few decades, radiation exposure has become a critical parameter mandating periodic evaluation. Although existent data indicate variable but nominal radiation doses associated with cardiovascular interventions, the radiation risk may be significant in certain patient populations and the operators who perform numerous procedures annually. Awareness regarding radiation doses and exposure delivered to both patients as well as operators during interventional procedures is therefore imperative. In this article, we review the current literature regarding radiation exposure, its potential hazards, and the ways to reduce the radiation dose in the current practice of cardiovascular medicine.