Does incidental irradiation of the sinoatrial node increase the risk of atrial fibrillation and mortality in patients with lung cancer receiving chemoradiotherapy?
Incidental radiation to the sinoatrial node during lung cancer chemoradiotherapy is associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation and mortality, highlighting the need for SAN-sparing radiotherapy planning.
In this cohort study, results suggest that incidental irradiation of the SAN during chemoradiotherapy may be associated with the development of AF and increased mortality. This supports the need to minimize radiation dose exposure to the SAN during radiotherapy planning and to consider close follow-up for the early detection of AF in patients receiving thoracic irradiation.
Kim et al. (Thu,) studied this question.