In plain language
In 984 chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs), switching to a digital system and lower pulse and frame rates was associated with operator dose falling by more than half and lower patient dose, despite more complex cases and unchanged procedural success.
At a glance
- Type of study
- Original research, Retrospective cohort study
- Who was studied
- Interventional cardiologists, Patients
- Size
- n = 984 procedures
- Summary based on
- the abstract
What it found
Operator radiation exposure fell by more than half across the three periods after low-dose equipment settings and protocols were introduced.
Key figures: more than 50% reduction
Dose area product fell 20% from period 1 to 2 and a further 7% to period 3 with similar fluoroscopy time.
Key figures: -20% then -7%
Air kerma dropped significantly between periods 2 and 3.
Key figures: 3.5 to 2.7 Gy
Dose reductions occurred despite rising lesion complexity and more retrograde procedures, without impeding procedural success.
Key figures: J-chronic total occlusion (CTO) 1.64 to 2.33; retrograde 21.6% to 50.4%
Patient weight and procedural complexity were the main determinants of radiation exposure.
Limits to keep in mind
Single-centre before-and-after observational design with multiple concurrent changes (equipment and settings), so individual contributions cannot be separated; abstract gives no detail on how operator dose was measured.
Related research summaries
- Two Central Nervous System Tumors in One Catheter Lab: Time to Rethink Radiation Protection (2026, Retrospective cohort study)
- Factors Contributing To Radiation Dose For Patients And Operators During Diagnostic Cardiac Angiography (2018, Retrospective cohort study)
- Operator radiation exposure during transradial coronary angiography: Effect of single vs. double catheters (2017, Randomized trial)
- Determinants of operator and patient radiation exposure during cardiac catheterization: Insights from the RadiCure (RADIation reduction during cardiac catheterization using real-timE monitoring) trial (2015, Randomized trial)
- Effect of Vascular Access Site Choice on Radiation Exposure During Coronary Angiography: The REVERE Trial (Randomized Evaluation of Vascular Entry Site and Radiation Exposure) (2015, Randomized trial)
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.