Key result
Radiotherapy is linked to ~10% Tp-e interval prolongation in thoracic cancer patients.
Why the study?
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of radiotherapy on electrocardiographic parameters, including QT, QTc, Tp-e interval, and Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/QTc ratios, in patients with breast and lung cancer.
Does radiotherapy prolong the Tp-e interval and related repolarization indices in patients with breast and lung cancer?
Cohort (n=27)
No
Does radiotherapy prolong the Tp-e interval and related repolarization indices in patients with breast and lung cancer?
Radiotherapy induces early subclinical alterations in ventricular repolarization, as evidenced by prolonged Tp-e intervals, which may serve as an early non-invasive marker for radiation-induced cardiac damage.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Radiotherapy-associated Tp-e prolongation may signal early repolarization changes in thoracic cancer; leaves open its value as a cardiotoxicity marker.
Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of radiotherapy (RT) on electrocardiographic parameters, including QT, corrected QT (QTc), Tp-e interval, and Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/QTc ratios, in patients with breast and lung cancer. Methods: A total of 27 patients (15 with lung cancer and 12 with breast cancer) were included. The decision for RT was made by a multidisciplinary oncology board. Standard 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) and transthoracic echocardiography were performed before and after RT. Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT, and Tp-e/QTc ratios were calculated. The mean myocardial radiation dose ranged between 5.0 and 6.5 Gy. Cardiac radiation exposure was similar between groups. Results: There were no significant changes in blood pressure, heart rate, or left ventricular ejection fraction after RT. However, Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio were significantly prolonged following RT in both groups. In patients with lung cancer, the Tp-e interval increased from 72.94±7.32 ms to 80.20±5.87 ms. In patients with breast cancer, it increased from 65.41±4.02 ms to 73.00±2.64 ms. Conclusion: Radiotherapy may lead to early alterations in ventricular repolarization parameters. Tp-e interval and related indices may serve as early markers of radiotherapy-induced cardiac damage. Routine ECG monitoring may be beneficial in these patients.
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Başel et al. (2026) conducted a cohort in Breast and lung cancer (n=27). Radiotherapy vs. Baseline (before radiotherapy) was evaluated on Tp-e interval in lung cancer patients (p=0.001). Radiotherapy prolonged the Tp-e interval in both lung cancer and breast cancer patients, indicating early ventricular repolarization alterations.
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