CVIA Journal

Announcing a new article publication for Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications journal. Radiation-induced cardiomyopathy has become a significant clinical challenge with the increased use of thoracic radiation therapy. Recent technological advancements in radiation therapy, such as 3D conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT), intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), and proton therapy, have decreased cardiac exposure. Additional methods including multileaf collimation (MLC) cardiac shields, patient prone positioning, and the deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) technique further mitigate the effects of radiation on the heart. Post-therapy cardiac screening is crucial for timely intervention. Furthermore, the antioxidant properties of certain medications and herbal supplements may counteract radiation-induced oxidative stress. Notably, statins, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, and natural products have demonstrated protective effects against radiation-induced cellular damage. (more…)