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Use of advanced CT scanning equipment is helping patients reduce radiation exposure, according to a new research. 

The study considered around 2,000 patients at nine centers in the U.S. and middle East and found that using newer generation, dual sourced CT scanners reduced radiation exposure. The study also compared the effects with the first generation, 64-slice, single-source scanners or first generation dual-source CT scanners. 

According to the study, the patient radiation exposure was reduced by 61 percent with the newer scanners with no remarkable difference  in image quality for patients having CT scans for coronary artery disease, pulmonary embolism or aortic disease, the press release added. 

"Newer technology makes a difference in terms of radiation exposure and the difference is quite large," said study author Kavitha Chinnaiyan, M.D., director of Advanced Cardiac Imaging Research at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak in the press release. "It is important for patients to ask questions when referred for a radiation-based test to understand what the procedure involves and what the risks are of the particular technique and if there are alternative imaging choices."

The study findings also have important implications for referring physicians, researchers added.

"Clinicians must understand that imaging studies not only have a major impact on the care of an individual patient, but also on trends in radiation exposure, as well as overall health care costs," said Dr. Chinnaiyan. "Incidental findings may require further imaging studies with other radiation-based tests. In addition to choosing patients appropriately, it is important to discuss the risks and benefits of testing with patients, and to refer them to centers that offer newer technologies."

The study was published by Beaumont Health System research in the Journal of  Cardiovascular Computed Tomography.