CONGRESS ABSTRACT

Background: Radiation therapy (RT) is widely diffused in the treatment of cancer; but it could lead to various negative consequences on the cardiovascular system, even several years after treatment end. They include also valvular heart diseases, arrythmias, coronary artery diseases, heart failure, pericardial diseases, systemic and pulmonary artery diseases. We report an interesting case about RT cardiotoxicity different manifestation occurred in the same patient.
Case report: 79 years old patient, history of previous testicular seminoma when he was 54 years old (1997), treated through surgery and RT with betatron (total body cobalt). In 2008 aortic valve replacement with mechanical prothesis; in 2017 first hospitalization for heart failure during atrial fibrillation. In subsequent years, recurring episodes of atrial fibrillation (2 unsuccessful attempts at electrical cardioversion), and heart failure exacerbations with mild reduced ejection fraction, treated through medical therapy improvement. At follow-up echocardiogram (03/19) finding of ejection fraction mild reduced (45%), right sections increased in volumes, tricuspid valve moderate regurgitation. In January 2022, at the last cardiac check-up, he reported worsening dyspnoeic symptoms, and occasional episodes of retrosternal pain in last months. It was performed Coro-TC observing a 60% stenosis at distal tract of right coronary; in addition, patient underwent a transoesophageal echocardiogram which documented further reduction in left ventricle ejection fraction, and worsening tricuspid regurgitation to a severe degree, with anulus dilatation and partial failure of leaflets coaptation, which appeared fibro-elastic; inferior vena cava ectasia, Paps 40-45 mmHg circa. Holter-ECG showed atrial fibrillation for all 24 hours, plus 2000 BEV. The case was discussed in Heart Team, and an indication was placed for Triclip intervention.
Discussion: Nowadays great achievements of anticancer therapies improved patients’ survival, consequently increased the number of anticancer therapies complications; therefore, an accurate cardiac screening for early diagnosis and effective treatment of CV adverse effects is necessary. Several distinct factors contribute to determine the onset cardiotoxicity insurgence, such as the type of cancer, its anatomical localization; radiation techniques applied, total and fractional radiation doses; patient’s age and his comorbidity and risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.