Evaluation of patient and staff exposure with state of the art X-ray technology in cardiac catheterization: A randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac catheterization procedures result in high patient radiation exposure and corresponding staff doses are reported to be among the highest for medical staff. The purpose of current randomized controlled study was to quantify the potential radiation dose reduction for both patient and staff, enabled by recent X-ray technology. This technology is equipped with advanced image processing algorithms, real-time dose monitoring, and an acquisition chain optimized for cardiac catheterization applications. METHODS: A total of 122 adult patients were randomly assigned to one of two cath labs, either the reference X-ray modality (Allura Xper FD10, Philips Healthcare, the Netherlands) or the new X-ray system (AlluraClarity FD20/10 Philips Healthcare, the Netherlands). Exposure parameters and staff dosimeter readings were recorded for each exposure. Technical measurements were performed to define the radiation scatter behavior. RESULTS: With the newer equipment, patient radiation dose is reduced (as total dose-area product) by 67% based on geometric means with 95%CI of 53%, 77% for diagnostic and interventional procedures. The C-arm and leg dosimeter readings were both reduced with 65% (P < 0.001), while for the collar and chest dosimeter readings no statistically significant reduction was noticed. CONCLUSION: The new x-ray and image processing technology, significantly reduces patient dose in coronary angiographies, and PCIs by 67%. In general, scatter dose was also reduced, yet for some dosimeters the reduction was limited and not statistically significant. This study clearly indicates that the scatter behavior is highly dependent on C-arm rotation, operator movement and height, dosimeter position, beam filtration, clinical procedure type and system geometry.

Characteristics of a New X-Ray Imaging System for Interventional Procedures: Improved Image Quality and Reduced Radiation Dose.

PURPOSE: To compare image quality and radiation exposure between a new angiographic imaging system and the preceding generation system during uterine artery embolization (UAE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 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. RESULTS: There 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). CONCLUSIONS: The new angiographic imaging system significantly improved image quality and reduced radiation exposure during UAE procedures.

Patient radiation dose reduction using an X-ray imaging noise reduction technology for cardiac angiography and intervention.

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.

A Radiation Dose Reduction Technology to Improve Patient Safety During Cardiac Catheterization Interventions.

OBJECTIVES: A novel radiation dose reduction technology was evaluated in a cardiac catheterization laboratory during routine clinical care to determine if it could reduce radiation dose to patients undergoing coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention. These results were compared to patients undergoing similar procedures in a cardiac catheterization laboratory without this technology. BACKGROUND: There is a safety priority in clinical care to reduce X-ray radiation dose to patients in order to lower the risk of deterministic and stochastic effects. Dose reduction technologies must be verified in clinical settings to prove if they reduce X-ray radiation dose and to what extent. METHODS: Radiation dose data and procedure characteristics of 268 consecutive patients were collected and analyzed from a cardiac catheterization laboratory with dose reduction technology installed (referred to as Lab A, n = 135) and from a cardiac catheterization laboratory without this technology (referred as Lab B, n = 133). RESULTS: For diagnostic procedures, the median total dose-area product in Lab A was reduced by 46% (P < 0.0001) compared to Lab B, with no differences in terms of body mass index (P = 0.180), total fluoroscopy times (P = 1), number of acquired images (P = 0.920), and contrast medium (P = 0.660). For interventional procedures, the median total dose-area product in Lab A was reduced by 34% (P = 0.015) compared to Lab B, with no differences in terms of body mass index (P = 0.665), total fluoroscopy times (P = 0.765), number of acquired images (P = 0.923), and contrast medium (P = 0.969). CONCLUSIONS: This new dose reduction technology significantly reduces X-ray radiation dose without affecting fluoroscopy time, number of images, and contrast medium used during diagnostic and interventional coronary procedures.

Evaluation of a noise reduction imaging technology in iliac digital subtraction angiography: noninferior clinical image quality with lower patient and scatter dose.

PURPOSE: To determine whether equivalent-quality images can be obtained from digital subtraction angiography (DSA) of the iliac artery after implementation of a novel imaging technology that reduces patient and scatter x-ray dose. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Imaging using two randomly ordered DSA runs was performed in 51 adults scheduled for iliac artery angiography or intervention or both. One DSA run used standard acquisition chain and image processing algorithms (referred to as " reference DSA"), and the other DSA run used dose-reduction and real-time advanced image noise reduction technology (referred to as "study DSA"). The quality of each pair of runs, consecutively performed without changes in working projection or injection parameters, was independently rated by five radiologists blinded to the imaging technology used. Patient radiation dose was evaluated using air kerma and dose area product, and scatter dose was evaluated using three dosimeters (DoseAware, Philips Healthcare, Best, The Netherlands), located at fixed positions. RESULTS: Comparable image pairs were available in 48 patients. There were 44 patients undergoing treatment involving the common (n = 33) or external (n = 29) iliac arteries. Study DSA images were rated as equal to or better than reference DSA images for 96% of comparisons, with an average overall agreement among raters of 0.93 (95% confidence interval, 0.65-0.96). Mean patient radiation dose (n = 48) and scatter dose rate for the three dosimeters (n = 50) was 83% ± 5 and 69% ± 10 lower, respectively, using the study technology (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: 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).

Substantial radiation reduction in pediatric and adult congenital heart disease interventions with a novel X-ray imaging technology.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric 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. METHODS: Patient 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. RESULTS: The 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). CONCLUSIONS: Despite no other changes in procedural approach, the novel X-ray imaging technology provided substantial radiation dose reduction of 56% or higher.

Radiation dose in neuroangiography using image noise reduction technology: a population study based on 614 patients.

INTRODUCTION: The 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. METHODS: Radiation 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. RESULTS: The optimized system settings provided significant reduction in dose indicators versus reference system settings (p<0.001): from 124 to 47 Gy cm(2) and from 0.78 to 0.27 Gy for neuroangiography, and from 328 to 109 Gy cm(2) 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. CONCLUSION: X-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.