Study Shows Radiation Treatment for Lung Cancer Linked to Cardiac Arrythmias

Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital have “used artificial intelligence tools to accelerate the understanding of the risk of specific cardiac arrhythmias when various parts of the heart are exposed to different thresholds of radiation as part of a treatment plan for lung cancer.” Brigham's website has the release.

Arrhythmias, or irregular rhythms of the heart, can be common in people who are receiving radiation therapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The heart can “receive collateral damage from radiation dose spillage meant to target the cancer tumors” due to the proximity of the heart to the lungs. This exposure is “associated with general cardiac issues.” This new study from Brigham demonstrates that “the risk for different types of arrhythmias can vary significantly based on the pathophysiology and cardiac structures that are exposed to different levels of radiation.”

The team analyzed 748 patients’ records in Massachusetts and found that “one out of every six patients experienced at least one grade 3 arrhythmia with a median time of 2.0 years until the first arrythmia…They also found that almost one-third of patients who experienced arrythmias also suffered from major adverse cardiac events.”

The researchers believe that “radiation oncologists should collaborate with cardiology experts to better understand the mechanisms of heart injuries and their connection to radiation treatment. In addition, they should take advantage of modern radiation treatment to actively sculpt radiation exposure away from the specific cardiac regions that are at high risk for causing arrythmias.”