Variability of radiation output dynamic range in modern cardiac catheterization imaging systems

Automatic exposure control (AEC) is one of the most important characteristics for optimizing cardiac catheterization imaging; this allows the X-ray system to provide sufficient radiation output under a variety of clinical conditions so that a satisfactory image is obtained. AEC was assessed in 97 cardiac catheterization laboratories using a standard set of phantoms. Three different copper attenuators were used to simulate three patient sizes. As magnification increased, many systems had limited dynamic range and were unable to increase radiation output. With increasing atttenuator thickness, the problem worsened. With the thickest attenuator and largest magnification (4.5"-5.0" FOV), 60% of systems could not achieve the typical 70% increase in exposure while 20% were unable to increase radiation output at all.