Does prolonged fluoroscopy during radiofrequency ablation for supraventricular tachycardia increase the risk of fatal malignancy?
Prolonged fluoroscopy during radiofrequency ablation for SVT carries a small risk of fatal malignancy, emphasizing the need for radiation optimization, especially in obese patients.
Prolonged fluoroscopy during radiofrequency ablation may potentially cause a small increase in the lifetime risk of fatal malignancy, with lung malignancy being most likely. This risk is small only with the use of techniques and x-ray equipment optimized to keep radiation as low as possible. The risk is increased in obese patients.
Kovoor et al. (Tue,) studied this question.