What is the effect of higher kVp on patient exposure?

Higher kilovolt peak (kVp) settings in radiographic imaging increase the energy of the X-ray beam, which enhances its penetration capability. As a result, higher kVp can allow for the use of lower tube current (mA) while still producing an adequate image quality. This is significant because a lower tube current leads to a decrease in the total radiation dose received by the patient. Essentially, by increasing the kVp and thereby improving the quality of the X-ray beam, the amount of radiation exposure to the patient can be effectively reduced while maintaining diagnostic efficacy.

This understanding is crucial for optimizing radiographic parameters to minimize patient exposure, while still capturing high-quality diagnostic images.