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Pacemaker failure associated with therapeutic radiation

Journal Article · · Am. J. Emerg. Med.; (United States)
A 48-year-old white man with a multiprogrammable Intramedics 259-01 pacemaker was treated for inoperable lung cancer with a course of cobalt-60 radiotherapy (total 3500 rad). Several weeks subsequent to his last radiation treatment, the patient presented to the emergency department with chest and abdominal pain, shortness of breath, hypotension, and tachycardia. A paced tachycardia was noted, and application of a magnet over the pacemaker completely inhibited its function, allowing a normal sinus rhythm to ensue and the patient's symptoms to be relieved. Pacemaker failure probably was a complication of radiotherapy.
Research Organization:
Univ. of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville (USA)
OSTI ID:
6797153
Journal Information:
Am. J. Emerg. Med.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. J. Emerg. Med.; (United States) Vol. 6:6; ISSN AJEME
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English