Runaway pacemaker during high-energy neutron radiation therapy.
Runaway pacemaker occurred in a patient undergoing high-energy neutron radiation therapy despite adherence to published safety guidelines. The very low estimated dose of 0.9 Gy received by the pacemaker demonstrates the extreme sensitivity of integrated circuits to this new modality of radiation therapy.
Raitt
M H
MH
University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle.
Stelzer
K J
KJ
Laramore
G E
GE
Bardy
G H
GH
Dolack
G L
GL
Poole
J E
JE
Kudenchuk
P J
PJ
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000532:radiotherapy; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000528:radiation effects; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009502:Neutrons / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011882:Radiotherapy, High-Energy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy