A Higher Mean Heart Radiation Dose Induces Higher Frequency of Multiple Cardiac Changes

• Main Authors: Aula, H. (Author), Huhtala, H. (Author), Kellokumpu-Lehtinen, P.-L (Author), Keski-Pukkila, K. (Author), Nikus, K. (Author), Raatikainen, P. (Author), Skyttä, T. (Author), Tuohinen, S.S (Author), Virtanen, V. (Author)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: NLM (Medline) 2022
• Subjects: Breast cancer; cardiac biomarkers; ECG; echocardiography; radiotherapy
• Online Access: View Fulltext in Publisher

 BACKGROUND/AIM: Radiotherapy (RT) induces late changes in all cardiac structures. Most studies of early changes focus on individual parameters. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data from eighty early-stage breast cancer patients at baseline, post-RT and three-year follow-up visit were assessed prospectively. Changes in ten cardiac parameters were collected including electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiography, and biomarkers. A percentage of abnormal changes was calculated. RESULTS: The mean heart radiation dose (Dmean) was independently associated with the increased incidence of changes post-RT (β=0.403, p<0.001) and at the three-year follow-up (β=0.353, p=0.001). Each 1-Gray increase in Dmean increased the cardiac changes by 3.7% (95%CI=1.9-5.6%) after RT and 3.1% (95%CI=1.3, 4.9%) at the three-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: A higher cardiac radiation dose was independently associated with a higher incidence of changes in cardiac parameters. Multiparameter changes imply that the early phase after RT is already characterized by several overlapping cardiac changes. Copyright © 2022 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.