Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2026

A Whole Body Dosimetry Protocol for Peptide-Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT): 2D Planar Image and Hybrid 2D+3D SPECT/CT Image Methods
Published on: April 24, 2020
Cumulative patient effective dose in cardiology
G Bedetti1, N Botto, M G Andreassi
1Hospital S Maria della Scaletta, Imola, Italy.
Insights
Cardiology patients receive significant medical radiation doses from procedures like arteriography and nuclear medicine. Tracking cumulative effective dose is crucial for assessing cancer risk and optimizing patient safety.
Area of Science:
- Medical Physics
- Radiology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Medical radiation is a significant man-made exposure source in Western countries.
- Assessing cumulative effective dose in cardiology patients is essential for understanding stochastic cancer risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the individual cumulative effective radiation dose in patients admitted to a cardiology ward.
- To identify key procedures contributing to the total radiation exposure.
Main Methods:
- Collected radiological history from 50 cardiology patients via questionnaires and hospital records.
- Calculated cumulative effective dose using European Commission guidelines.
- Analyzed data to determine median dose and identify high-contributing procedures.
Main Results:
- Median cumulative effective dose was 60.6 mSv, with a median of 36 examinations per patient.
- Arteriography/interventional cardiology, nuclear medicine, and CT accounted for 86% of the collective dose.
- Estimated median extra cancer risk was 1 in 200 exposed patients.
Conclusions:
- Cardiology patients accumulate significant radiation doses from diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.
- Logging cumulative doses and optimizing procedures are vital for patient safety.
- Justification of indications and dose optimization are recommended.
Abstract:
Medical radiation from X-rays and nuclear medicine is the largest non-natural (man-made) source of radiation exposure in Western countries. The aim of this study was to assess the individual cumulative effective dose in patients admitted to our cardiology ward. We collected a cumulative radiological history from a structured questionnaire and access to hospital records in 50 consecutive adult patients (36 males; age, 66.7+/-10.8 years) admitted to the Institute of Clinical Physiology in Pisa. The cumulative effective dose was assessed as an indicator of stochastic risk of cancer. We derived the effective dose for each individual examination from the Medical Imaging Guidelines of the European Commission (2001). On average, each patient underwent a median of 36 examinations (interquartile range, 23-46). The median cumulative effective dose was 60.6 mSv. Three types of procedures were responsible for approximately 86% of the total collective effective dose: (i) arteriography and interventional cardiology (12% of examinations, 48% of average dose per patient); (ii) nuclear medicine (5% of examinations, 21% of average dose per patient); and (iii) CT (4% of examinations, 17% of average dose per patient). The median estimated extra risk of cancer was approximately 1 in 200 exposed subjects. In conclusion, the average contemporary cardiological patient is exposed to a significant cumulative effective dose from diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. It is important to log cumulative dose for each patient at the time of each examination. Every effort should be made to justify the indications and to optimize the doses.
Related Concept Videos
Drug Accumulation During Multiple Dosing: Repetitive IV Injections
Biological Effects of Radiation
Drug Dosing in Renal Diseases: Dose Adjustments Based on Drug Clearance and Elimination Rate Constant
Dose Size and Dosing Frequency: Determination Methods
Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients
Dosage Regimen: Multiple Oral Dosage
