What is the typical effect of increasing the time of exposure during fluoroscopy?

Increasing the time of exposure during fluoroscopy directly leads to an increase in patient dose. This occurs because a prolonged exposure time means the patient is being irradiated for a longer duration, which results in a higher accumulation of radiation dose to the tissues. Fluoroscopy utilizes continuous X-ray imaging to visualize internal structures in real time, and the longer the exposure, the more radiation is delivered to the patient.

It's important to manage exposure times to minimize patient risk while ensuring sufficient image quality. Typically, increasing exposure time can improve the signal-to-noise ratio, which can enhance visualization, but this must be balanced against the potential risks of higher radiation exposure to the patient. Thus, maintaining a focus on minimizing exposure time is crucial for patient safety while still achieving adequate imaging quality.