X-ray Exposure in Coronary CT Angiography

Abstract

In coronary CT angiography (CTA), X-ray radiation is delivered through an X-ray tube from which the amount of radiation emitted can be carefully controlled. Recently, the use of X-rays for diagnostic purposes has been the subject of important and renewed attention, with the aim to limit exposure and thus its negative consequences on human health. The potential oncological impact of X-rays is well-known. Earlier generations of radiologists used diagnostic equipment often without the protection that has since become routine. Consequently, they often suffered dermatological problems on their hands as well as an increased frequency of tumors, mostly of the hematopoietic series. In the following, we focus on the unintentional exposure that occurs during a diagnostic evaluations, i.e., for coronary artery disease.