title: Approaches to enhancing radiation safety in cardiovascular imaging: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association.
abstract: Education, justification, and optimization are the cornerstones to enhancing the radiation safety of medical imaging. Education regarding the benefits and risks of imaging and the principles of radiation safety is required for all clinicians in order for them to be able to use imaging optimally. Empowering patients with knowledge of the benefits and risks of imaging will facilitate their meaningful participation in decisions related to their health care, which is necessary to achieve patient-centered care. Limiting the use of imaging to appropriate clinical indications can ensure that the benefits of imaging outweigh any potential risks. Finally, the continually expanding repertoire of techniques that allow high-quality imaging with lower radiation exposure should be used when available to achieve safer imaging. The implementation of these strategies in practice is necessary to achieve high-quality, patient-centered imaging and will require a shared effort and investment by all stakeholders, including physicians, patients, national scientific and educational organizations, politicians, and industry.
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fazel
authors.forename: Thomas C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Gerber
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Balter
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Brenner
authors.forename: J Jeffrey
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Carr
authors.forename: Manuel D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Cerqueira
authors.forename: Jersey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Einstein
authors.forename: Harlan M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Krumholz
authors.forename: Mahadevappa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mahesh
authors.forename: Cynthia H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: McCollough
authors.forename: James K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Min
authors.forename: Richard L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Morin
authors.forename: Brahmajee K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Nallamothu
authors.forename: Khurram
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nasir
authors.forename: Rita F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Redberg
authors.forename: Leslee J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Shaw
mesh_terms: D000572:American Heart Association; D002309:Cardiology / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011859:Radiography; D014481:United States
keywords: AHA Scientific Statements; cardiac imaging techniques; radiation dosage; radiation protection