1 research outputs found
An investigation into the effects of radiotherapy on implanted cardiac devices
Introduction
The number of cancer patients with CIEDs presenting for radiotherapy treatment is
increasing. Technological advances in CIEDs have now made them more sensitive
to ionising radiation and electromagnetic interference (EMI) than older bipolar semiconductor
devices. External beam radiotherapy has the potential to cause CIED
malfunction, this might be temporary but nevertheless, could result in catastrophic
failure of the cardiac conduction system of the heart. It is not possible to predict the
exact behaviour of a CIED when it is within, or close to, the radiotherapy treatment
field. Published literature is inconsistent in its findings regarding the safe levels of
ionising radiation dose delivered to CIEDs. The aims of this research are to
determine the effects of ionising radiation and electromagnetic interferences upon
CIEDs and leads.
Method
This research will adopt an experimental approach to data collection, under
laboratory conditions, when CIEDs and CIEDs leads are exposed to ionising
radiation and EMI.
Results
The scientific arm of this research focused on the effect of ionising radiation and EMI
on CIEDs and CIED leads. The results showed that CIEDs exhibited a range of
temporary and permanent malfunctions when exposed to cumulative ionising
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radiation doses ranging from 0.5Gy to 3Gy. Results also, recommend that CIED
leads should not be in the treatment field however, if this is unavoidable the radiation
dose should be kept as low as possible. All CIEDs exhibited an effect when
exposed to EMI and it is recommended that all patients with CIEDs receiving
radiotherapy treatment should be monitored when in the radiotherapy treatment
room.
Conclusion
This research identifies how CIEDs are adversely affected by ionising radiation and /
or EMI, how these effects can be minimised, provide safe radiotherapy tolerance
doses to CIEDs and issue recommendations for the publication of national guidelines
for the safe management of patients with CIEDs undergoing radiotherapy treatment