Imaging Providers — Kids with heart disease need special care. And like all children, they are more sensitive to radiation.

So when these kids need imaging:


When appropriate, choose heart ultrasound, MRI or another exam that does not use radiation
Child-size CT, fluoroscopy and nuclear medicine exams
And, during catheterization:
Lower the frame rate
Manage dose settings
Increase image receptor field of view (reduce electronic magnification)
Lower the image receptor to the patient
Reduce size of X-ray field (collimate)

"As the medical personnel who perform these procedures, radiologic technologists serve a key role in optimizing medical radiation dose by applying correct protocol for size and body type of the patient. This campaign allows us to reinforce technologists with resources to help them continue to provide excellent care," said Michael Latimer, M.S.R.S., R.T.(R), president of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT).

"Imaging exams provide vital information to help diagnose and treat cardiac conditions — including heart disease. Providers need a firm understanding of the physics of these technologies to select imaging parameters that optimize radiation dose and minimize any potential risks," said Bruce H. Curran, MEng, FAAPM, FACMP, chair of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM).

The Image Gently Alliance website and Image Gently Parents website contains the latest research and educational materials to aid radiologists, radiologic technologists, medical physicists and other imaging stakeholders in determining the appropriate radiation techniques to be used in the imaging of children and how the radiation received from these exams may affect pediatric patients over time.

Health care providers are urged to visit the Image Gently Alliance site and pledge to do their part to image gently.

*Image Gently Alliance Position Statement Endorsers
American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM)
American College of Radiology (ACR)
American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT)
Society for Pediatric Radiology (SPR)
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
American College of Cardiology (ACC)
American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC)
Heart Rhythm Society (HRS)
North American Society for Cardiovascular Imaging (NASCI
Pediatric and Congenital Electrophysiology Society (PACES)
Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI)
Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT)
Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI)

SOURCE American College of Radiology

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