Effect of Low Frame Invasive Coronary Angiography on Radiation and Image Quality

Abstract Invasive coronary angiography (ICA) utilizes harmful x-ray energy. To date there are no studies evaluating the effect of performing ICA at lower than the standard 15 frames per second (f/s) on radiation dose and image quality. In this study we investigated the effect of performing ICAs at 7.5 f/s as opposed to the standard 15 f/s on radiation exposure as well as image quality. Thirty-nine patients referred for ICA for clinical indications were assigned to have their ICA performed at 7.5 f/s or 15 f/s in a 2:1 ratio respectively. All studies were performed by one experienced operator in the same laboratory. Magnification, table height, collimation, number of images as well as specific angles for image acquisition were kept constant.to account for these variables that also effect radiation. Studies performed at 7.5 f/s had significantly less radiation exposure than those performed at 15 f/s (252.2 mGy vs. 433.7 mGy, p