In plain language
In over 3,000 cardiac catheterisation procedures, newer dose-optimised X-ray systems cut recorded air kerma by about half for chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) despite longer fluoroscopy times. Staff dose was inferred from system metrics, not measured directly.
At a glance
- Type of study
- Original research, Retrospective cohort study
- Who was studied
- Patients
- Size
- n = 3,223 procedures (2,947 diagnostic catheterisations and 276 CTO-PCI)
- Summary based on
- the abstract
What it found
For chronic total occlusion (CTO)-PCI, air kerma fell by almost half on the highly dose-optimised machine compared with the reference machine, despite much longer fluoroscopy time.
Key figures: 48% air kerma (AK) decrease; 76% increase in FT
For diagnostic catheterisations, air kerma fell 45% between the reference and moderately dose-optimised machines.
Key figures: 45% decrease
A further reduction in air kerma was seen on the highly dose-optimised machine for diagnostic procedures.
Key figures: further 20% decrease
CTO-PCI procedural success was higher on the highly dose-optimised machine.
Key figures: 69.8% versus 83.0%
Limits to keep in mind
Retrospective single-dataset comparison of equipment generations, with possible confounding from changes in operators, technique and case mix over time. Doses are system air kerma metrics (patient dose surrogates); operator dose reduction is inferred rather than measured with personal dosimeters.
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- Radiation Awareness for EVAR in Hybrid Operating Room: An Instant Operator Risk Chart (2021, Dosimetry measurement study)
- Decreased Operator X-Ray Exposure By Optimized Fluoroscopy During Radiofrequency Ablation Of Common Atrial Flutter (2018, Prospective cohort study)
- Factors Contributing To Radiation Dose For Patients And Operators During Diagnostic Cardiac Angiography (2018, Retrospective cohort study)
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.