Constrictive pericarditis following mediastinal radiation therapy

Journal Article · Tue Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1977 · J. Ky. Med. Assoc.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5141562

Coffee, M A; Hamman, J L

In recent years, an increasing number of patients with neoplastic disease have received aggressive radiation therapy to the mediastinum. Following this therapy as many as 30% of patients develop pericarditis with effusion, which may later severely compromise cardiovascular function because of constriction and/or tamponade. In a retrospective study, Martin et al found either transient or persistent pericardial effusion in 24 of 81 patients with Hodgkin's disease, Stages I-III B, who underwent upper mantle radiation. Five of the 24 patients eventually required pericardiectomy for signs and symptoms of cardiac tamponade. Most of the retrospective studies of heart disease following radiation therapy demonstrate an increased incidence of cardiac involvement following high doses (over 4000 rads) to the mediastinum; however, acute pericarditis, restrictive disease, and even myocardial infarctions have occurred with a total dose of less than 4000 rads.

• Research Organization: Trover Clinic, Madisonville, KY
• OSTI ID: 5141562
• Journal Information: J. Ky. Med. Assoc.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Ky. Med. Assoc.; (United States) Vol. 75:2; ISSN JKMAB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560151* -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Man
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
BODY AREAS
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
CHEST
DELAYED RADIATION EFFECTS
DISEASES
FRACTIONATED IRRADIATION
HEART
HODGKINS DISEASE
IRRADIATION
LYMPHOMAS
MEDIASTINUM
MEDICINE
NEOPLASMS
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANS
PATIENTS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOLOGY
RADIOTHERAPY
SIDE EFFECTS
THERAPY