EFFECTS OF INTENSIVE RADIATION ON THE HUMAN HEART

Journal Article · Mon May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1961 · Radiobiology

OSTI ID:4072256

Vaeth, J M; Feigenbaum, L Z; Merrill, M D

In 20 patients receiving large doses of radiation to the heart, no significant cardiac damage was detectable clinically or by electrocardiograms or serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase determinations. In 1 patient who received over 6000 rads to the heart, a detailed histologic examination showed no cardiac damage attributable to radiation. In 2 patients electrocardiographic evidence of pericarditis developed during treatment for masses involving the mediastinum. The pericarditis was transient, did not interfere with continuance of radiotherapy, snd had subsided completely at the end of treatment. Pericardial involvement was proved by surgery in 1 patient prior to the initiation of radiation therapy. ln the other, at the time of develop ment of the pericarditis, roentgenograms revealed the mediastinal mass to be diminishing in size. It is more likely, therefore, that the pericarditis was due to irradiation, rather than to the neoplastic disease. The absence of abnormal serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase determinations is compatible with pericardial rather than with myocardial reaction. In 4 patients with electrocardiographic changes suggestive of reversible myocardial damage, only 1 had simultaneous serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase elevations. It is doubtful that the findings were caused by the dose delivered at this time, although the possibility exists. If cardiac damage is induced by irradiation, it appears to be of such insignificance that modification of adequate present-day radiotherapeutic technics is not justified. (auth)

• Research Organization: Univ. of California, School of Medicine, San Francisco
• NSA Number: NSA-15-020618
• OSTI ID: 4072256
• Journal Information: Radiobiology, Journal Name: Radiobiology Vol. Vol: 76
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BLOOD SERUM
ENZYMES
HEART
INFECTIONS
MAN
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOTHERAPY
SURGERY