ECG-Synchronized CT Angiography in 324 Consecutive Pediatric Patients: Spectrum of Indications and Trends in Radiation Dose

The aim of the study is to describe the spectrum of indications for pediatric ECG-synchronized CT angiography (CTA), the main determinants of radiation exposure, and trends in radiation dose over time at a single, tertiary referral center. The study was IRB approved and HIPAA compliant with informed consent waived. Between 2005 and 2013, 324 pediatric patients underwent ECG-synchronized CTA to evaluate known or suspected cardiovascular abnormalities (109 female, median age 8.1 years). The effective dose (ED) was calculated using age-specific correction factors. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of radiation dose. The most common primary indications for the CTA examinations included known or suspected coronary pathologies ( n = 166), complex congenital heart disease ( n = 73), and aortic pathologies ( n = 41). Median radiation exposure decreased from 12 mSv for patients examined in the years 2005–2007 to 1.2 mSv for patients examined in the years 2011–2013 ( p