Radiotherapy in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices is associated with device malfunctions in up to 7% of patients, with the risk increasing to 20% when neutron-producing radiation is used.
This review summarizes clinical observations and provides practical directions for radiation treatment planning and delivery in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices.
The number of patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) constantly increases and due to growing incidence of cancer, many of them will require an anticancer treatment. At least a half of patients treated for malignant neoplasms, apart from other treatment methods, require radiotherapy. Although papers presenting the results of in vitro studies provide clues on the susceptibility of CIEDs to ionizing radiation, the research methods used often stand out from typical clinical situations. Direct irradiation of the devices is avoided and the doses delivered to pulse generators are far below those seen in the in vitro studies. In this review the most important clinical observations made during irradiation of patients with CIEDs are summarized and practical directions for physicians and physicists involved in radiation treatment planning and delivery are given.
Sławomir Blamek (Fri,) conducted a review in Cancer with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). Radiotherapy was evaluated on CIED malfunction. Radiotherapy in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices is associated with device malfunctions in up to 7% of patients, with the risk increasing to 20% when neutron-producing radiation is used.