Recurrent syncope 20 years after mediastinal radiation therapy in a patient with breast cancer.
Mediastinal radiation therapy can cause progressive fibrosis and might, as a result, induce various cardiac problems. We encountered a patient who presented with recurrent syncope 20 years after radiation therapy for breast cancer. She had multiple cardiac problems including bilateral coronary ostial stenoses, pre-valvular right ventricular outflow tract stenosis, and constrictive pericarditis. The cause of syncope was paroxysmal atrioventricular block (an 18-s long pause recorded by the implantable loop recorder). The patient was treated by the implantation of a pacemaker and did not experience syncope during 9 months of follow up.
Choi
Jong-Il
JI
Korea University Cardiovascular Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Pak
Hui-Nam
HN
Kim
Young-Hoon
YH
D000368:Aged; D054537:Atrioventricular Block / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D013575:Syncope / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors