Radiation-related coronary artery disease in Hodgkin's disease

Coronary artery disease is a rare and only recently recognised complication of mediastinal irradiation. A 34-year-old man died suddenly eight years after mediastinal irradiation for Hodgkin's disease. Autopsy disclosed severe narrowing of all major extramural coronary arteries by atherosclerotic plaques whereas all other systemic and visceral arteries were virtually free of atheroma. Autopsy findings in the five reported cases of radiation-related coronary artery disease are reviewed.