The Potential for Implantable Cardiac Devices to Malfunction Following Radiation Therapy

Clinical Pearls

Siavash Jabbari, MD, radiation oncologist, Douglas & Nancy Barnhart Cancer Center, Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center, discusses the potential for implantable cardiac devices such as pacemakers to malfunction following radiation therapy.

• Radiation therapy is becoming a bigger player in the management of all stages of lung cancer.
• There is a potential issue of radiation causing implantable cardiac devices to malfunction, which could be catastrophic to a patient.
• While it is possible to risk-stratify and manage these patients, there are logistical barriers to evaluating each device.