Risk of ionizing radiation in women of childbearing age undergoing radiofrequency ablation.
BACKGROUND
The International Commission of Radiology recommends a pregnancy screening test to all female patients of childbearing age who will undergo a radiological study. Radiation is known to be teratogenic and its effect is cumulative. The teratogenic potential starts at doses close to those used during these procedures. The prevalence of positive pregnancy tests in patients undergoing electrophysiological studies and/or catheter ablation in our midst is unknown.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the prevalence of positive pregnancy tests in female patients referred for electrophysiological study and/or radiofrequency ablation.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study analyzing 2966 patients undergoing electrophysiological study and/or catheter ablation, from June 1997 to February 2013, in the Institute of Cardiology of Rio Grande do Sul. A total of 1490 procedures were performed in women, of whom 769 were of childbearing age. All patients were screened with a pregnancy test on the day before the procedure.


RESULTS
Three patients tested positive, and were therefore unable to undergo the procedure. The prevalence observed was 3.9 cases per 1000 women of childbearing age.


CONCLUSIONS
Because of their safety and low cost, pregnancy screening tests are indicated for all women of childbearing age undergoing radiological studies, since the degree of ionizing radiation needed for these procedures is very close to the threshold for teratogenicity, especially in the first trimester, when the signs of pregnancy are not evident.
Gustavo Glotz de
GG
Lima
Daniel Garcia
DG
Gomes
Caroline Saltz
CS
Gensas
Mariana Fernandez
MF
Simão
Matheus N
MN
Rios
Leonardo Martins
LM
Pires
Marcelo Lapa
ML
Kruse
Tiago Luiz Luz
TL
Leiria
D000016:Abnormalities, Radiation-Induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011258:Pregnancy Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D055815:Young Adult