Cardiovascular imaging societies develop action plan for increasing radiation safety

A think tank of cardiovascular imaging stakeholders developed a consensus plan on several broad directions for ensuring patient safety in an era of increased medical radiation.

Physicians need to perform only appropriate and necessary diagnostic exams and procedures, consider exams or procedures without radiation, and use the best possible combination of equipment, doses and protocols, according to a report written by a collaboration of eight medical societies and Duke University Clinical Research Institute.

The four critical areas covered by the plan are as follows:

1. 1. Quantifying the estimated risks of malignancies that may occur much later from low-dose radiation of cardiovascular imaging and therapies;
2. 2. Measuring and reporting radiation dose in cardiovascular imaging and procedures;
3. 3. Minimizing radiation dose for single episodes of care and across entire systems of care; and
4. 4. Educating and communicating with multiple groups to increase awareness and achieve goals in minimizing exposure.

The full text of the report was published online March 22 by the Journal of the American College of Cardiology and will appear in print in the May 15 issue, as well as in an upcoming issue of Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.