Radiation-Induced Heart Disease: Causes, Manifestations, Prevention

The article discusses the causes of the development of radiation-induced heart disease - one of the significant complications of chest radiation therapy. Treating cancer with this method triggers the mechanism of pathological changes in the heart. There are a number of risk factors contributing to this complication in patients. The most common clinical forms of radiation-induced heart disease are identified, as well as a characteristic of their signs. The timing of the appearance of these signs for each form may be different, in addition, they vary depending on the reason for the use of radiation therapy. The possibilities of diagnosing selected conditions are indicated, which oncologists and doctors of other specialties should actively apply in the tactics of managing patients who have undergone oncological diseases of the mammary glands or chest organs. These diagnostic methods are not different from the main methods of diagnosing cardiac diseases, they are affordable and safe. The article also provides methods for the primary and secondary prevention of radiation-induced heart disease, which begin with the choice of a method of treatment for an oncological patient. Now there are many radiotherapy options that reduce the dose and area of radiation, which can minimize the risks of deterioration in the quality of life and prognosis of the patient. The next important principle is the correction of lifestyle and modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. Also indicated are variants of drugs used in cardiac practice, with the help of which, possibly, in the future, the prevention of radiation-induced heart disease will be carried out, but so far they are at the stage of clinical trials.