Radiation induced pericarditis: Difference between revisions

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==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
===History and symptoms===
===History and Symptoms===
Radiation induced pericarditis may present in two forms:
Radiation induced pericarditis may present in two forms:
*Acute pericarditis
*Acute pericarditis

Revision as of 18:02, 17 January 2013

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Varun Kumar, M.B.B.S.; Lakshmi Gopalakrishnan, M.B.B.S.

Overview

The survival rate in Hodgkin lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and breast carcinomas has significantly improved with use of radiation therapy. However, radiation therapy to thoracic and mediastinal cancers have also led to development of pericarditis, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, conduction abnormalities in heart and valvular heart diseases which account for significant morbidity and mortality. The incidence is higher with doses greater than 40 Gy (4000 rad).

Pathophysiology

Radiation exposure causes endothelial damage, capillary rupture, and platelet adhesion which initiates an inflammatory response and leads to development of adhesions between the two membranes of pericardium. Collagen and fibrous deposition occur on the outer layer of the heart leading to pericardial fibrosis, effusion, and sometimes tamponade [1]

Radiation induced pericarditis depends on:

  1. Total dose of radiation
  2. Amount of cardiac silhouette exposed
  3. Nature of the radiation source
  4. Duration and fractionation of therapy

In a retrospective study, 27.7% of the patients developed pericardial effusion after median time period of 5.3 months following radiotherapy for esophageal carcinoma with radiation dose ranging between 3 to 50Gy. It was concluded that high dose-volume of the irradiated pericardium and heart increased the risk of developing pericarditis[2].

Epidemiology and Demographics

Incidence of radiation induced pericarditis has significantly decreased with the use of lower doses and newer radiotherapy techniques[3][4]. In a study, incidence decreased from 20% to 2.5% with the changes in methods of RT administration[5]

In as study among pediatric population with various cancers, radiation therapy with ≥15 GY increased the risk of developing pericarditis by two to six times[6]

Diagnosis

History and Symptoms

Radiation induced pericarditis may present in two forms:

  • Acute pericarditis
  • Late onset pericarditis occur from about a year to up to 20 years after exposure

Patients may present with the following symptoms:

Physical examination

Patients may present with fever

Vitals: Hypotension, tachycardia

Neck: Jugular venous distension with a prominent Y descent and Kussmaul's sign

Chest: Ewart's sign may be present. This includes a pericardial knock, pericardial rub(heard best while leaning forwards) and distant heart sounds

Abdomen: Hepatomegaly, ascites

Extremities: Ankle edema

Electrocardiogram

Non-specific ST and T wave changes or ST segment elevation in all leads may be noted.

Acute pericarditis


Pericardiocentesis

Radiation induced pericardial effusion can be confused with malignant pericarditis and hypothyroidism (secondary to mediastinal irradiation) induced pericarditis. Pericardiocentesis can be used to differentiate them with fluid analysis for malignant cells and thyroid function tests.

Treatment

  • Pericarditis with large effusion can be drained either percutaneously or surgically
  • Those with recurrent pericardial effusion can be treated with pericardiotomy(pericardial window) or by surgical stripping.
  • Pericardiectomy is recommended for patients who develop constrictive pericarditis. However, the perioperative mortality rate is higher in postradiation constrictive pericarditis compared to that of idiopathic constrictive pericarditis[7].

References

  1. Hooning MJ, Aleman BM, van Rosmalen AJ, Kuenen MA, Klijn JG, van Leeuwen FE (2006). "Cause-specific mortality in long-term survivors of breast cancer: A 25-year follow-up study". Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 64 (4): 1081–91. doi:10.1016/j.ijrobp.2005.10.022. PMID 16446057.
  2. Wei X, Liu HH, Tucker SL, Wang S, Mohan R, Cox JD; et al. (2008). "Risk factors for pericardial effusion in inoperable esophageal cancer patients treated with definitive chemoradiation therapy". Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 70 (3): 707–14. doi:10.1016/j.ijrobp.2007.10.056. PMID 18191334.
  3. Maisch B, Ristić AD (2003). "Practical aspects of the management of pericardial disease". Heart. 89 (9): 1096–103. PMC 1767862. PMID 12923044.
  4. Maisch B, Seferović PM, Ristić AD, Erbel R, Rienmüller R, Adler Y; et al. (2004). "Guidelines on the diagnosis and management of pericardial diseases executive summary; The Task force on the diagnosis and management of pericardial diseases of the European society of cardiology". Eur Heart J. 25 (7): 587–610. doi:10.1016/j.ehj.2004.02.002. PMID 15120056.
  5. Carmel RJ, Kaplan HS (1976). "Mantle irradiation in Hodgkin's disease. An analysis of technique, tumor eradication, and complications". Cancer. 37 (6): 2813–25. PMID 949701.
  6. Mulrooney DA, Yeazel MW, Kawashima T, Mertens AC, Mitby P, Stovall M; et al. (2009). "Cardiac outcomes in a cohort of adult survivors of childhood and adolescent cancer: retrospective analysis of the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study cohort". BMJ. 339: b4606. doi:10.1136/bmj.b4606. PMID 19996459.
  7. Bertog SC, Thambidorai SK, Parakh K, Schoenhagen P, Ozduran V, Houghtaling PL; et al. (2004). "Constrictive pericarditis: etiology and cause-specific survival after pericardiectomy". J Am Coll Cardiol. 43 (8): 1445–52. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2003.11.048. PMID 15093882.

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