Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 11, 2026

Non-fluoroscopic Catheter Tracking for Fluoroscopy Reduction in Interventional Electrophysiology
Published on: May 26, 2015
Comparison of radiation dose between different fluoroscopy systems in the modern catheterization laboratory: Results
Georgios Christopoulos1, Georgios E Christakopoulos1, Bavana V Rangan1
1Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, VA North Texas Health Care System and UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.
Background:
Variations in radiation dose between various X-ray systems have received limited study.
Objective:
We examined the impact of X-ray system type on patient radiation dose during cardiac catheterization.
Methods:
An anthropomorphic phantom was used in a series of standardized experiments that involved 15 sec of continuous cineangiography in 7 projections. Three to seven experiments were performed in four commonly used X-ray systems: Innova IGS (GE Healthcare), Integris Allura FD20 (Philips), Allura Clarity (Philips), and Artis one (Siemens). Phantom radiation dose was measured with a dedicated X-ray dosimetry system (Gafchromic radiology film and Film QA XR software, Ashland) that was precalibrated at 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 Gray, and with the X-ray system built-in functions.
Results:
Radiation dose was lowest with the Allura Clarity system [average film dose 4.2±0.1 cGray, peak film dose 18.3±1.6 cGray, Air Kerma (AK) dose 0.310±0.002 Gray, Dose Area Product (DAP) dose 23.72±0.84 Gray*cm2], intermediate with the Integris Allura FD20 (average film dose 4.4±1.1 cGray, peak film dose 29.4±15.5 cGray, AK 0.482±0.189 Gray, DAP 45.18±21.90 Gray*cm2), and highest with the Artis one system (average film dose 7.4±0.8 cGray, peak film dose 66.9±0.09 cGray, AK 0.746±0.085 Gray, DAP 75.93±9.11 Gray*cm2) and the Innova IGS system (average film dose 7.2±1.0 cGray, peak film dose 49.3±28.9 cGray, AK 0.874±0.340 Gray, DAP 92.28±14.73 Gray*cm2; P=0.011 for average film dose, P=0.019 for maximum film dose, P=0.033 for AK, and P=0.008 for DAP).
Conclusions:
The X-ray system type has significant impact on patient radiation dose during cardiac catheterization.
Related Concept Videos
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray
Definition and Purpose
An X-ray, or radiograph, is a non-invasive method that uses ionizing radiation to take images of internal structures. It is mainly used in cardiac imaging to examine the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels, aiming to identify abnormalities in the heart's size, shape, and position, such as heart failure, congenital defects, and vascular...
Imaging Studies VII: Vascular Imaging
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System V: CT
Imaging Studies III: Computed Tomography
Cardiac Catheterization I: Pre-Procedure Overview
Radiological Investigation I: X-ray and CT

