Patient radiation doses in interventional cardiology in the U.S.: advisory data sets and possible initial values for U.S. reference levels

In plain language

In a 2008 to 2009 national survey of 171 U.S. cardiac catheterization facilities, patient kerma-area product was higher than in Europe despite similar fluoroscopy times. The authors suggest initial reference levels and conclude patient dose is not optimized.

At a glance

Type of study: Original research, Cross-sectional survey
Who was studied: Patients
Size: n = 171 facilities
Where: United States
Topics: Patient dose Dosimetry and monitoring Regulation and policy
Summary based on: the abstract

What it found

Possible preliminary U.S. reference levels for diagnostic catheterization and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were proposed from the 75th percentile of national dose distributions.
Key figures: 75th percentile
Fluoroscopy times in the U.S. matched European studies, but kerma-area product was higher in the U.S.
The authors conclude patient dose in these procedures is not optimized in U.S. practice.
Data came from the 2008 to 2009 NEXT survey covering 171 facilities in 30 states.
Key figures: 171 facilities in 30 states

Limits to keep in mind

The abstract gives no numeric dose values, and the data come from a facility survey of patient dose metrics. Staff dose was not measured.

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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.