St. Louis-based Washington University School of Medicine researchers found radiation therapy can improve outcomes in patients with ventricular tachycardia.
The study, published Nov. 28 in Med, used low-dose radiation therapy on nine patients with ventricular tachycardia. Researchers used cardiac MRI before and after radiation treatment to evaluate the treatment.
The study found low-dose radiation improved heart function by reducing the number of inflammatory immune cells in the heart muscle. Patients' hearts showed improving pumping capacity of the left ventricle that was observed for a few days following treatment.
"We know that rapidly dividing cells — such as cancer cells, for example — tend to be more susceptible to death by radiation," co-senior author and radiation oncologist Carmen Bergom, MD, PhD, an associate professor of radiation oncology, said in a news release from the university. "The effect we see in these hearts is likely more complex than a simple reduction of rapidly dividing inflammatory immune cells. We have been pleasantly surprised to see evidence that low-dose radiation in these hearts may reduce inflammation and help remodel the heart in a way that is beneficial."