Key Points
- To review the acute and late cardiovascular complications associated with mediastinal radiation therapy and identify optimal diagnostic strategies for both symptomatic and asymptomatic cancer survivors.
- Narrative review synthesizing clinical evidence on cardiotoxicity following thoracic and mediastinal radiation therapy.
- Evaluation of diagnostic tools and screening modalities for early detection of treatment-induced heart damage across asymptomatic and symptomatic patient populations.
- Radiation therapy directed at the mediastinum causes progressive cardiovascular injury, manifesting as both early toxicities and long-term vascular or structural heart disease.
- Growing cohorts of cancer survivors face increased risks of late-onset heart failure, coronary artery disease, and valvular disorders following chest irradiation.
- Cardiovascular surveillance protocols utilizing targeted cardiac imaging are critical for early risk stratification and intervention in exposed survivors.
Structured PICO
PPopulationCancer patients treated with radiation therapy (specifically mediastinal radiotherapy)
IInterventionMediastinal radiotherapy
This review describes the short- and long-term cardiovascular consequences of mediastinal radiotherapy and discusses optimal cardiovascular assessments in cancer survivors.