Exposure to Low-Dose Ionizing Radiation From Cardiac Procedures in Patients With Congenital Heart Disease: 15-Year...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Radiology
• Public Health

Background:

• The cumulative impact of low-dose ionizing radiation (LDIR) from medical procedures in individuals with congenital heart disease (CHD) remains largely unquantified.
• Understanding LDIR exposure is crucial for managing long-term health risks in the growing CHD population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the burden and trends of LDIR exposure from cardiac imaging and therapeutic procedures in children and adults with CHD.
• To identify specific procedures contributing to LDIR exposure in this cohort.

Main Methods:

• A longitudinal, population-based study utilizing the Quebec CHD database.
• Analysis of LDIR-related cardiac procedures including diagnostic catheterizations, interventions, CT scans, nuclear procedures, and device insertions from 1990 to 2005.

Main Results:

• A significant increase in LDIR-related cardiac procedures was observed, rising from 18.5 to 51.9 per 1000 CHD patients annually.
• Key procedures contributing to this rise included structural heart interventions, coronary interventions, pacemaker insertions, nuclear procedures, and chest CT scans.
• The median age at first LDIR procedure in children with CHD decreased substantially, indicating earlier and more frequent exposure.

Conclusions:

• Patients with CHD faced a marked increase in exposure to LDIR-emitting cardiac procedures from 1990 to 2005.
• This exposure trend occurred at progressively younger ages, underscoring the need for careful monitoring and management.
• These findings offer critical insights into the longitudinal LDIR exposure patterns within this vulnerable patient group.