Technological progress has made it possible to reduce the dose of radiation delivered by medical X-ray systems. In parallel, interventional coronary procedures have become increasingly complex and consequently, last longer.

This study aimed to compared to the estimated dose of radiation received by patients in interventional cardiology at 10 years interval (2006 vs. 2016).

The study population included all patients undergoing interventional coronary procedures in one of the catheterization laboratories (cathlabs) of our institution during two periods, namely period 1 from October 2005 to March 2006, and period 2 from November 2015 to October 2016. The primary endpoint was the estimated dose of radiation received by the patient as assessed by dose area product (DAP).

In 2016, the estimated dose of radiation received by patients undergoing interventional coronary procedures was on average 77.7% lower than that received in 2006 (P<0.0001), whereas the fluoroscopy time increased by 54% on average over the same period (P<0.0001). By multivariate analysis including age, approach, body mass index, fluoroscopy time and performance of angioplasty, the reduction in radiation remained significant. The radial approach was significantly associated with an increased estimated dose of radiation received (P<0.0001) (Table 1, Fig. 1).

In our centre, the estimated dose of radiation received by patients undergoing interventional cardiology procedures has been reduced by 77.7% over the last decade.