Radiation Safety in Children with Congenital and Acquired Heart Disease: A Scientific Position Statement on Multimodality Dose Optimization from the Image Gently Alliance

May 18, 2017—The purpose of this scientific statement is to provide expert consensus recommendations for optimization of medical imaging procedures commonly performed in children with congenital and acquired heart disease, including cardiac computed tomography, nuclear cardiology studies, and fluoroscopically guided diagnostic and interventional catheterization and electrophysiology procedures. These recommendations specifically focus on optimization approaches that, when properly implemented, will improve the radiation safety profile for children with heart disease, without compromising the diagnostic information provided by these valuable studies or other aspects of procedural safety.

Other strategies to improve care include a patient-centered approach to imaging, emphasizing education and informed decision making and programmatic approaches to ensure appropriate dose monitoring.

The Heart Rhythm Society endorsed the document on April 4, 2017.