Fluoroscopy-minimization in SVT ablation reduces female operators' annual radiation exposure to a mean effective dose of 9.34 µSv, well below the 1 mSv pregnancy limit.
Does a fluoroscopy-minimization strategy maintain occupational radiation exposure below the 1 mSv fetal dose constraint for female electrophysiologists performing SVT ablation?
Adopting a fluoroscopy-minimization strategy for SVT ablation keeps operator radiation exposure far below the 1 mSv fetal dose constraint, supporting the safety of continued electrophysiology practice for women of reproductive age.
Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 0%
Abstract Background and Aims Occupational exposure to ionizing radiation in electrophysiology may significantly affect the careers of women of reproductive age. The aim of the STOOP registry was to quantify the estimated yearly occupational radiation exposure of female electrophysiologists of reproductive age performing consecutive radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) adopting a fluoroscopy-minimization strategy. Methods Twelve European centers participated. All procedures were performed with a fluoroscopy-minimization strategy, guided by 3D mapping systems and following the ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principles. Results 710 RFCA procedures were performed by 32 operators (mean age38±7 years). Mean procedure time was 80±35 min, with a mean fluoroscopy time of 51±153 s. The mean operator annual dose-area product (DAP) was 46.7±79.5 Gycm², corresponding to an estimated mean annual effective dose of 9.34±15.9 µSV. In no case did the yearly effective dose reach the 1 mSv occupational limit for pregnancy. The mean DAP did not differ among operators, and was unaffected by operator experience or annual procedure volume. Conclusions Performing SVT ablation with a fluoroscopy-minimization strategy results in operator radiation exposure far below the 1 mSv fetal dose constraint applicable once pregnancy is declared, irrespective of operator experience or case volume. These findings support the safety of continuing electrophysiology activity for women of reproductive age under modern fluoroscopy-free workflows.
Poggi et al. (Wed,) reported a other. Fluoroscopy-minimization in SVT ablation reduces female operators' annual radiation exposure to a mean effective dose of 9.34 µSv, well below the 1 mSv pregnancy limit.