Arrhythmias & electrophysiologyCohort study
Fluoroscopy-minimization strategy for catheter ablation of Supraventricular Tachycardia by wOmen OPerators: the STOOP Multicentre Registry
- Multicentre registry study
- 12 European centres
Authors' conclusion
Performing SVT ablation with a fluoroscopy-minimization strategy results in operator radiation exposure far below the 1 mSv foetal dose constraint applicable once pregnancy is declared, irrespective of operator experience or case volume.
Study context
- Population
- Female electrophysiologists of reproductive age performing radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) with a fluoroscopy-minimization strategy (3D mapping, As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA))RFCA procedures by 32 operators
- Participants
- 710 electrophysiologists
- Outcome
- Estimated yearly occupational radiation exposure of operators
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Mean operator annual dose-area product (DAP)
46.7 ± 79.5 Gy·cm²
Estimated mean annual effective dose
9.34 ± 15.9 µSv
Yearly effective dose reaching the 1 mSv occupational limit for pregnancy
0
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Procedure and fluoroscopy time
- Mean procedure time
- 80 ± 35 min
- Mean fluoroscopy time
- 51 ± 153 s
Original publication
Fluoroscopy-minimization strategy for catheter ablation of Supraventricular Tachycardia by wOmen OPerators: the STOOP Multicentre Registry. Europace. Published 26 February 2026. doi:10.1093/europace/euag030
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it