Radiation Doses Can Vary in Pediatric Coronary CTA

August 7, 2007 – Doses of radiation can vary in pediatric coronary CTA, a heart-imaging test to detect fatty or calcium deposits in the coronary arteries, according to a study led by Caroline Hollingsworth, Duke University Medical Center, published in the American Journal of Roentgenology.

The study found that coronary CTA doses vary substantially with different parameters and can provide very high radiation doses to children when adult-type parameters are utilized. In some cases, cardiac-gated CTA radiation doses can vary and may be as high as 28.4 mSv or 10 times the annual natural background radiation in children. Optimal techniques in coronary CTA for children have yet to be developed.

For more information: www.ajronline.org