Proton Beam Therapy Interference With Implanted Cardiac Pacemakers
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki (Japan)
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki (Japan)
- Proton Medical Research Center, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki (Japan)
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Shizuoka Cancer Center Hospital, Shizuoka (Japan)
Purpose: To investigate the effect of proton beam therapy (PBT) on implanted cardiac pacemaker function. Methods and Materials: After a phantom study confirmed the safety of PBT in patients with cardiac pacemakers, we treated 8 patients with implanted pacemakers using PBT to a total tumor dose of 33-77 gray equivalents (GyE) in dose fractions of 2.2-6.6 GyE. The combined total number of PBT sessions was 127. Although all pulse generators remained outside the treatment field, 4 patients had pacing leads in the radiation field. All patients were monitored by means of electrocardiogram during treatment, and pacemakers were routinely examined before and after PBT. Results: The phantom study showed no effect of neutron scatter on pacemaker generators. In the study, changes in heart rate occurred three times (2.4%) in 2 patients. However, these patients remained completely asymptomatic throughout the PBT course. Conclusions: PBT can result in pacemaker malfunctions that manifest as changes in pulse rate and pulse patterns. Therefore, patients with cardiac pacemakers should be monitored by means of electrocardiogram during PBT.
- OSTI ID:
- 21128202
- Journal Information:
- International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics, Journal Name: International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 72; ISSN IOBPD3; ISSN 0360-3016
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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