Research summary, original research, 2019

Efficacy of Low Dose Compared With Standard Dose Radiation for Cardiac Catheterization and Intervention

Kar S, Teleb M, Albaghdadi A, Ibrahim A, Mukherjee D. The Journal of invasive cardiology. 2019

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In plain language

In 452 cardiac catheterization and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) patients, low frame-rate fluoroscopy was associated with about 85% lower patient air kerma and dose-area product (DAP) without longer fluoroscopy time. Staff dose was not measured, though lower patient dose generally means less scatter for the fluoroscopy team.

At a glance

Type of study
Original research, Retrospective cohort study
Who was studied
Patients
Size
n = 452 patients
Summary based on
the abstract

What it found

  • Low-dose frame rates (≤7.5 f/s) were associated with substantially lower air kerma than standard-dose (≥10 f/s).

    Key figures: 100.70 mGy [interquartile range (IQR), 46.42-233.35 mGy] vs 660.96 mGy [IQR, 362.78-1373.65 mGy]; P<.001

  • Dose area product was lower with low-dose settings.

    Key figures: 723.60 μGy•m² [IQR, 313.09-2328.22 μGy•m²] vs 5203.40 μGy•m² [IQR, 2743.55-10064.71 μGy•m²]; P<.001

  • Fluoroscopy time did not differ between groups.

    Key figures: 13.33 min vs 12.75 min; P=.95

  • Contrast use was slightly lower with low-dose settings.

    Key figures: 100 mL vs 115 mL; P<.03

  • No low-dose procedures required conversion to standard dose.

Limits to keep in mind

Single observational, non-randomized comparison with unequal groups and possible case-mix differences; only patient dose metrics were measured, not staff dose or clinical outcomes.

How this summary was made

ORSIF prepared this summary with AI assistance from the abstract of the paper. A program then checked that the passage supporting each finding appears word for word in that source. A person has not yet reviewed each summary, so read the original before relying on a number. ORSIF summarizes research and does not endorse any product or company. Report a problem with this summary.

Prepared November 3, 2026.