Study: Cardiac CT angiography damages DNA

Editor's Note

Patients exposed to radiation during cardiac computed tomographic angiography had evidence of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage that was associated with cell death, DNA damage in cells, and activation of genes involved in DNA repair, in this study.

Most cells damaged by the CT scan were repaired, but a small percentage died. The study raises the possibility that a routinely performed cardiac procedure may cause future cancer. Cells that cannot repair or eliminate DNA damage may develop into cancerous tumors.

The results support the need to adhere to dose reduction strategies and minimize radiation exposure in medical imaging, the researchers conclude.