Radiation therapy is a cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This is due to the significant degree of atherosclerosis seen in the vessels in the vicinity of the area being irradiated. Radiation-induced peripheral arterial disease is increasingly being recognized as large populations of cancer patients survive longer, yet it is a problem that is often under reported. Although it has most commonly been associated with carotid artery disease, all vascular beds are prone to this form of injury. The injury is accelerated by usual risk factors for atherosclerosis. Developing a healthy lifestyle, dietary prudence and the aggressive treatment of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia should all be encouraged in this patient population. When revascularization strategies are warranted, the percutaneous approach may be superior to open surgery as technical difficulties may arise in the fibrotic, scarred tissue. Stenting with distal embolic protection devices should be considered as the treatment of choice for patients with radiation-induced carotid artery disease. Several reports also suggest good results with balloon angioplasty with or without stenting in the case of radiation-induced renal, iliac, and femoral artery disease. Lifelong antiplatelet therapy may be appropriate.

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Improvements in cancer treatment are increasing survival rates, placing cancer survivors at increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). Thoracic radiation as cancer therapy can accelerate the atherosclerotic process, and some older studies suggest that mediastinal radiation can increase the CAD risk two to fivefold. The management of serum lipids using diet and drugs is the cornerstone of efforts designed to reduce CAD events. The present article reviews the association between radiation and coronary disease and provides guidelines for the prevention of atherosclerotic CAD in this patient group and in the general population of cancer survivors.

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An optical barrier (OB) may eliminate the entrance of aerosol generated by clinical procedures in sterilization devices. The OB is a new alternative for sterilizing medical and dental instruments. The objective of the study was to evaluate the action of the OB on the entrance of bacteria into an autoclaving system and to correlate the time and distance of exposure. To test the configuration of the device, we used Escherichia coli. A lamp utilized in this instrument was low pressure with a wavelength around 254 nm. A homogenous distribution of light around the door was observed by the Inventor 2015 software. Microbiological tests showed efficient bacterial elimination at a distance of 8 cm from OB. The results show that the use of the OB radiation for 30 minutes guarantees the non-entry of microorganisms into the sterilized environment. The use of the OB may be recommended to maintain the surface of sterile materials for long periods of time.