Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 9, 2026
07:27
Implantation of Total Artificial Heart in Congenital Heart Disease
Published on: July 18, 2014
[A case of post-radiation constrictive pericarditis developing 12 years after radiation therapy]
M Sakuraba1, J Tanaka, S Ikeda
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Mitsui Memorial Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
[Zasshi] [Journal]. Nihon Kyobu Geka Gakkai
|February 12, 1998
Summary
Radiation therapy for breast cancer can lead to constrictive pericarditis, a form of heart failure. Surgical pericardiectomy effectively treated this condition in a 70-year-old woman, restoring heart function.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Oncology
- Thoracic Surgery
Background:
- A 70-year-old woman received radical mastectomy and postoperative radiation therapy (50 Gy) for left breast carcinoma.
- Radiation targeted parasternal and left subclavian nodes, a common practice for breast cancer treatment.
Observation:
- Ten years post-radiation, the patient developed heart failure symptoms including dyspnea, edema, and hepatomegaly.
- Cardiac catheterization showed elevated right atrial and right ventricular pressures with a characteristic "dip and plateau" waveform.
Findings:
- Operative findings and pathology confirmed radiation-induced constrictive pericarditis.
- Pericardiectomy was performed successfully without extracorporeal circulation.
Implications:
- This case highlights a significant long-term complication of radiation therapy for breast cancer.
- Surgical intervention (pericardiectomy) offers an effective treatment for radiation-induced constrictive pericarditis.
- Prompt diagnosis and surgical management can lead to rapid recovery and good long-term outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Pericarditis I: Introduction
Pericarditis is defined as the inflammation of the pericardium, the thin, sac-like membrane surrounding the heart. This condition can cause significant chest pain and other symptoms, often necessitating medical intervention. The pericardium has two layers: the inner visceral layer and the outer parietal layer, separated by a small amount of fluid that reduces friction during heartbeats.Types of PericarditisPericarditis can be classified into several types based on the duration and nature of the...
01:19Pericarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
Pericarditis is distinguished by inflammation of the pericardium, the fibrous sac that encases the heart. It can be acute, lasting less than six weeks, or chronic, persisting for over three months. Understanding its clinical manifestations and diagnostic findings is crucial for timely and effective management.Clinical ManifestationsWhile pericarditis can be asymptomatic, it usually presents with characteristic symptoms such as:Chest Pain: The most characteristic symptom of pericarditis is chest...
01:17Pericarditis III: Medical Management
The primary objectives of managing pericarditis are to determine the underlying cause, provide effective therapy for treatment and symptom relief, and promptly detect signs and symptoms of cardiac tamponade. The following outlines the essential aspects of medical management for pericarditis:ObjectivesDetermine the Cause: Identifying the underlying cause of pericarditis is crucial for targeted treatment. Causes include viral infections, autoimmune diseases, post-cardiac injury syndrome, and...
01:25Pericarditis IV: Nursing Management
Pericarditis, an inflammation of the pericardium, necessitates diligent nursing management to ensure effective patient care and recovery. The initial step in managing pericarditis is a comprehensive patient medical assessment.The patient reports chest pain aggravated by breathing, coughing, and swallowing, which worsens when lying supine. The pain often improves when sitting up and leaning forward. Additional symptoms may include fever, malaise, and, in severe cases, signs of heart failure.
01:23Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction
Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...
01:29Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a rare heart muscle disease characterized by impaired ventricular filling due to stiffened ventricular walls, leading to significant diastolic dysfunction.EtiologyRestrictive cardiomyopathy can arise from both inherited and acquired diseases, many of which are systemic. It is categorized into four main types: infiltrative, storage, non-infiltrative, and endomyocardial diseases.Infiltrative diseases, such as amyloidosis, lead to RCM by depositing amyloid...