Arrhythmia Unit, Cardiology Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Pg. de la Vall d'Hebron 119, 08035 Barcelona, Spain.
Cardiology-Heart Rhythm Management Department, Clinique Pasteur, 45 Avenue de Lombez - BP 27617 - 31076, 31300 Toulouse, France.
Europace. 2023 Aug 2;25(9). doi: 10.1093/europace/euad216.
Electrophysiology (EP) is a growing field in cardiology, with an increasing involvement of young people. Nevertheless, concerns about radiation exposure and its impact on reproduction and pregnancy may discourage the choice of an EP career. The study is aimed at investigating the level of awareness and main sources of concern about the effects of radiation on reproductive potential and pregnancy, exploring the safety measures adopted in different EP labs, and verifying the adherence to the current guidelines.
An online survey was conducted using the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) infrastructure from April to June 2022. A total of 252 EP personnel (42% women) participated, from 50 countries and different professional roles. Most participants expressed concerns regarding the effects of radiation on reproductive capacity (67.1%) and offspring diseases (68.2%). Only 37.9% of participants were aware of the EHRA 2017 consensus document about occupational radiation exposure. Most participants (80.9%) considered that occupational radiation during pregnancy is not safe. EP female staff were not allowed to work in the EP lab during pregnancy in 48.1% of cases. Zero-fluoroscopy was the preferred choice to continue working in the EP lab during pregnancy.
EP staff, including both men and women, have concerns about the effects of radiation on reproductive capacity. Despite the recommendations issued by international bodies, implementation of the policies regarding pregnancy and occupational radiation exposure is heterogeneous. Zero-fluoroscopy is the preferred approach to ensure safety during pregnancy in the EP lab.
电生理学（EP）是心脏病学中一个不断发展的领域，越来越多的年轻人涉足其中。然而，人们对辐射暴露及其对生殖和妊娠影响的担忧可能会阻碍选择 EP 职业。本研究旨在调查对辐射对生殖潜力和妊娠影响的认识水平和主要关注点，探讨不同 EP 实验室采取的安全措施，并验证其对当前指南的遵循情况。
2022 年 4 月至 6 月期间，使用欧洲心律协会（EHRA）基础设施进行了一项在线调查。共有 252 名 EP 人员（42%为女性）参与，来自 50 个国家和不同的专业角色。大多数参与者对辐射对生殖能力（67.1%）和后代疾病（68.2%）的影响表示关注。只有 37.9%的参与者了解 EHRA 2017 年关于职业辐射暴露的共识文件。大多数参与者（80.9%）认为怀孕期间的职业辐射不安全。在 48.1%的情况下，不允许 EP 女性工作人员在怀孕期间在 EP 实验室工作。零透视是在怀孕期间继续在 EP 实验室工作的首选方法。
EP 工作人员，包括男性和女性，都对辐射对生殖能力的影响表示担忧。尽管国际机构发布了建议，但有关妊娠和职业辐射暴露的政策的实施存在差异。零透视是确保 EP 实验室在怀孕期间安全的首选方法。
