Chest Irradiation Associated Cardio-Vascular Disease

Abstract

Background: The heart and great vessels were once thought to be relatively resistant to the damaging effect of radiation therapy. There is now clear evidence that thoracic irradiation may cause acute inflammation and progressive fibrosis of different structures, including the heart valves, the myocardium and the pericardium, the coronary arteries and the conduction system. As new therapies have improved survival, many patients with cancer (mostly Hodgkin's disease and breast cancer) are now at risk of cardiovascular (CV) complications following radiation therapy. Objectives: To raise awareness of CV complications following chest irradiation. Method: We present 5 patients that we treated during a short period of time (between June 2013 (6/2013) and February 2015 (2/2016)), who suffered CV involvement that needed therapy, following chest irradiation. Conclusions: Patients after chest irradiation should be followed periodically, in order to diagnose and treat CV complications, in time.