Abstract:Late cardiac complications after radiotherapy for breast cancer was studied in 197 patients examined before, 6 months after, and 10 years after treatment. The 10-year follow-up was done by survey of the files of patients who had died and re-examination of patients who were alive and free of cancer. Among 95 patients who died, 3 died of cardiopulmonary diseases. Autopsy in 32 patients showed serious cardiac abnormalities in 3. Of 102 patients alive at follow-up, 3 reported heart symptoms. Sixty-nine patients pa… Show more
“…After irradiation, the cardiac rhythm changes are probably due to ischemic fibrosis affecting the conduction system (43). Signs of myocardial cell death appear in the ECG too late to be clinically useful (8,13).…”
“…After irradiation, the cardiac rhythm changes are probably due to ischemic fibrosis affecting the conduction system (43). Signs of myocardial cell death appear in the ECG too late to be clinically useful (8,13).…”
“…Symptomatic acute pneumonitis is unusual in breast cancer; the occurrence rate should be kept below 1% if an adequate technique is used (77) Moderate radiation doses should be given to a limited part of the heart to decrease complications (80)(81)(82). In the 1980s, it was reported that the use of postoperative radiotherapy was related to electrocardiographic changes (83). In the Oslo trial (47), a direct Co60 beam was used to irradiate the internal mammary chain and the supraclavicular area.…”
“…Strender et al found T-wave abnormalities after 6 months. Ten years later, not only were T-waves seen to be normalized but ST segment depression and ectopic beats had disappeared as well [25].…”
We found detrimental effects of RT on systolic and diastolic cardiac functions and the electrical conduction system of the heart. Maximal prevention should be provided for the patients during RT.
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