Radiation-related chronic heart disease

Three cases of radiation-related chronic heart disease are reported. All three patients had been treated for Hodgkin's disease with a mantle technique six to ten years earlier. Ten years after radiation treatment, a 34-year-old woman had dyspnea during exercise. Her heart was enlarged, and an ECG showed a RBBB. An echocardiogram showed pericardial effusion. Right-sided catheterization revealed an infundibular stenosis. A 31-year-old man had chest pain nine years after radiation. An ECG showed complete RBBB and an exercise stress test signs of ischemia; a coronary angiogram showed three proximal stenoses; and an echocardiogram revealed pericardial effusion. A 12-year-old boy had angina pectoris six years after radiation; one year later, he suffered an acute posterior infarction. Two weeks later he died suddenly. An autopsy showed a severe fibrotic and calcified narrowing of the proximal part of the left main coronary artery. Regardless of the patient's age, radiation-related cardiac complications must be kept in mind. Echocardiograms and, in cases of chest pain, exercise stress tests should be a part of routine postradiation follow-up.