Dosimetry and outcomes in patients receiving radiotherapy for synchronous bilateral breast cancers

BackgroundSynchronous bilateral breast cancer (SBBC) is rare and there is little evidence describing organs at risk (OAR) and limits to the heart and lungs caused by radiotherapy (RT). Quantifying mean heart dose (MHD) and mean lung dose (MLD) from RT in this patient cohort may lead to better understanding of doses to OAR and resultant effects on clinical outcomes. The primary objective was to assess median MHD and MLD in SBBC, while secondary aims included analyses of 1) factors associated with MHD and MLD, 2) V5 and V20 values and 3) factors associated with clinical outcomes.MethodsPatients planned for adjuvant bilateral whole breast/chest wall (WB) RT from a single institution treated in 2011-2018 were included. Median MHD and MLD (Gy) were stratified by hypofractionated (42.56 Gy/16 fractions, HFRT) and conventional fractionation (50 Gy/ 25 fractions, CFRT) and summarized separately based on the following treatments: 1) locoregional RT, WB tangential RT either 2) no boost 3) sequential boost or 4) simultaneous integrated boost. MHD, MLD, lung V5 and V20 values, and demographics were collected. Linear regression analyses identified factors associated with MHD and MLD and factors associated with clinical outcomes.ResultsA total of 88 patients were included. The median MHD for HFRT and CFRT was 1.99 Gy and 2.94 Gy, respectively. The median MLD for HFRT and CFRT was 6.00 Gy and 10.08 Gy, respectively. MHD and MLD were significantly associated with the occurrence of a cardiac or pulmonary event post-radiation. Patients who had a mastectomy or tumoral muscle involvement were more likely to develop a local recurrence, metastasis or new primary while patients who had a lumpectomy or tumor with a positive estrogen receptor status were less likely to experience these events.ConclusionsFurther investigation should be conducted to identify SBBC RT techniques that mitigate dose to OARs to improve clinical outcomes in bilateral breast patients.     

引入靶区外扩预测放射治疗中危及器官自动分割的平均剂量偏差

目的 观察引入靶区外扩预测放射治疗(放疗)中自动分割危及器官(OAR)的平均剂量偏差的价值。方法 将100例接受放疗的直肠癌患者随机分为训练集(n=30)和测试集(n=70)。对训练集手动分割CT图中的靶区,之后分别对膀胱、小肠和双侧股骨头4个OAR进行手动和自动分割。根据自动分割的OAR设计放疗计划,得到对应的剂量分布;利用Python程序统计每个OAR与靶区外扩环重叠区域内的剂量平均值,以之作为代表剂量,用于预测测试集手动与自动分割平均剂量的差异,比较预测平均剂量与实际平均剂量的差异。再次随机将100例分为训练集、测试集各50例,重复上述过程。结果 首次预测显示,测试集70例中,69例膀胱预测与实际剂量差异均<0.5 Gy,69例小肠预测与实际剂量差异均<3 Gy,全部70例双侧股骨头预测与实际剂量差异均<0.5 Gy;对于膀胱、小肠和左、右侧股骨头,预测与实际平均剂量差异的一致性相关系数(CCC)分别为0.96、0.86、0.81和0.69。第2次预测显示,测试集50例中,46例膀胱的预测与实际剂量差异均<0.5 Gy,49例小肠的预测和实际剂量差异均<3 Gy,所有病例双侧股骨头的预测和实际剂量差异均<0.5 Gy;对于膀胱、小肠和左、右侧股骨头,预测与实际平均剂量差异的CCC分别为0.97、0.90、0.82和0.78。结论 引入靶区外扩可有效预测直肠癌放疗中自动分割OAR产生的剂量偏差。     

Tumour-Targeted Treatment Intensification for Prostate Cancer Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging Guidance

IntroductionLocal control in prostate cancer may be improved with targeted dose escalation to regions with high tumour burden. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) combined with MRI-guided biopsies may aid in defining tumour-dense regions before radiation therapy. Deformable registration techniques may be used to map these tumour regions onto the radiotherapy planning MRI. Radiation therapy delivery techniques such as volumetric modulated arc therapy and high-dose-rate brachytherapy may allow for highly conformal dose escalation, and when coupled with image-guided radiation delivery (ie, cone beam computed technology and fiducial markers), may allow high-precision dose-escalated treatment.MethodsEligible prostate cancer patients were enrolled on a prospective trial of tumour dose escalation. Two strategies were investigated: (1) an integrated boost to external beam radiation for a total tumour dose of 95 Gy in 38 fractions or (2) a focal high-dose-rate boost of 10 Gy before 76 Gy in 38 fractions external beam radiation. Patients underwent MRI-guided biopsy with fiducial marker placement before therapy. mpMRI was acquired and used in conjunction with a non-endorectal coil T2 MRI and computed technology simulation images to define the gross tumour volume via a deformable registration approach for intraprostatic tumour dose escalation.ResultsA case example for each dose escalation strategy illustrates the tumour-targeted approach using MRI guidance.ConclusionsCombining mpMRI sequences with a deformable registration approach may aid in more accurate and reproducible definition of tumour-dense regions. This novel process coupled with daily image guidance may allow high-precision dose-escalated tumour-targeted radiotherapy for prostate cancer.     

Factors Affecting Mean Heart Dose in Patients Receiving Breast Radiotherapy from 2011 to 2018 in a Single Institution

IntroductionBreast cancer radiotherapy (RT) can increase the risk of cardiac disease with increasing dose; as such, reducing excessive dosage to the heart is a concern for clinicians. The purpose of the present study was to assess mean heart dose (MHD) in patients with breast cancer receiving RT, where it was hypothesized that MHD decreased over time.MethodsPatients planned for adjuvant unilateral whole breast/chest wall RT from 2011 to 2018 were included for a retrospective chart-review at a single-institution, academic center. MHD (Gy) was summarized by laterality, fractionation, and heart-sparing techniques.ResultsA total of 4,687 patients were included. The median MHD for left-sided conventional RT (50 Gy in 25 fractions) was 2.16 Gy across all years, decreasing until 2015 and increasing after. Median MHD for left-sided hypofractionated RT (42.6 Gy in 16 fractions) was 1.47 Gy, also decreasing until 2015 and increasing after. The increase in MHD after 2015 was attributed to a significant increase in the use of wide tangents (including internal mammary chain) after 2015 (P < .0001). Several treatment factors were associated with higher MHD in both right- and left-sided cancers, including locoregional RT, high tangents, wide tangents, bolus, heart shielding, treatment to the chest wall, higher volume of tissue irradiated by tangential fields, higher baseline breast separation values, and smaller heart volume. After adjusting for laterality and fractionation in the multivariate analysis, locoregional RT, wide tangents, heart shielding, boost, treatment to the chest wall, higher volume of tissue irradiated by tangential fields, higher baseline breast separation, and lower heart volume were significantly associated with higher MHD (P < .0001).Discussion/ConclusionsMHD should be considered when determining the most appropriate RT techniques for both right- and left-sided cancers as higher MHD was significantly associated with various treatment techniques and patient factors.     

Human Biodistribution and Radiation Dosimetry of the P-Glycoprotein Radiotracer [11C]Metoclopramide

Purpose

To assess in healthy volunteers the whole-body distribution and dosimetry of [¹¹C]metoclopramide, a new positron emission tomography (PET) tracer to measure P-glycoprotein activity at the blood-brain barrier.

Procedures

Ten healthy volunteers (five women, five men) were intravenously injected with 387?±?49 MBq of [¹¹C]metoclopramide after low dose CT scans and were then imaged by whole-body PET scans from head to upper thigh over approximately 70 min. Ten source organs (brain, thyroid gland, right lung, myocardium, liver, gall bladder, left kidney, red bone marrow, muscle and the contents of the urinary bladder) were manually delineated on whole-body images. Absorbed doses were calculated with QDOSE (ABX-CRO) using the integrated IDAC-Dose 2.1 module.

Results

The majority of the administered dose of [¹¹C]metoclopramide was taken up into the liver followed by urinary excretion and, to a smaller extent, biliary excretion of radioactivity. The mean effective dose of [¹¹C]metoclopramide was 1.69?±?0.26 μSv/MBq for female subjects and 1.55?±?0.07 μSv/MBq for male subjects. The two organs receiving the highest radiation doses were the urinary bladder (10.81?±?0.23 μGy/MBq and 8.78?±?0.89 μGy/MBq) and the liver (6.80?±?0.78 μGy/MBq and 4.91?±?0.74 μGy/MBq) for female and male subjects, respectively.

Conclusions

[¹¹C]Metoclopramide showed predominantly renal excretion, and is safe and well tolerated in healthy adults. The effective dose of [¹¹C]metoclopramide was comparable to other ¹¹C-labeled PET tracers.

     

乳腺放疗与乳腺癌幸存者发生冠心病的临床特征分析

目的:比较女性乳腺癌幸存者与普通女性初次诊断冠心病的临床特点.方法:回顾性选取2013年1月至2019年12月徐州医科大学附属医院心内科通过冠状动脉(冠脉)造影诊断为初发冠心病的80例女性乳腺癌幸存者为乳腺癌冠心病组,选取2019年1月至12月诊断为初发冠心病的313例女性非乳腺癌患者为非乳腺癌冠心病组,比较2组的危险...     

Dosimetric Impact of Image-Guided Radiotherapy in Liver Stereotactic Radiotherapy

IntroductionIn the absence of volumetric image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) with or without intravenous contrast, IGRT with two-dimensional (2D) imaging can improve the accuracy and precision of radiation delivery by correcting the largest sources of geometric uncertainty, facilitating the delivery of higher doses to the tumor and/or reduced doses to normal tissues. The purpose of this work was to estimate dosimetric impact of 2D IGRT for patients undergoing breath hold liver stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT).Materials/MethodsOffline residual offsets were determined using orthogonal image pairs acquired with patients positioned with external setup marks (non-IGRT) and following IGRT and repositioning (IGRT) for 30 patients treated with 6-fraction liver SBRT. The diaphragm was used as a surrogate for the liver for craniocaudal positioning, and the vertebral bodies for anterioposterior and right-left positioning, with a 3-mm threshold. The planned dose distributions were shifted by the measured IGRT and non-IGRT offsets. Total doses to target volumes and organs at risk (OAR) were calculated and compared to the prescribed plans.ResultsA total of 643 images (416-MV electronic portal images; 227 kV cone beam computed tomography projection images) were evaluated. Residual non-IGRT offsets frequently exceeded 3 mm (72%), resulting in clinically significant variations from the prescribed minimum planning target volume dose (mean change –6.5 Gy; P =.0150). The population mean reductions in minimum gross tumor volume doses (standard deviation (σ) to 0.5 mL with were 7.2 Gy (6.3) and 4.7 Gy (6.1) for non-IGRT and IGRT, respectively. The mean population increase in maximum OAR dose (to 0.5 mL) was largest for bowel (2.7 Gy, σ = 5.5 Gy) for non-IGRT.ConclusionsIGRT significantly improves concordance of delivered doses with planned doses for liver target volumes and OARs.     

An assessment of the dose and image quality difference between AP and PA positioned adult radiographic knee examinations

IntroductionKnee X-rays are a standard examination to diagnose multiple conditions ranging from traumatic injuries, degeneration, and cancer. This study explores the differences between adult Anterior-Posterior (AP) and Posterior-Anterior (PA) weight-bearing knee examinations using absorbed radiation dose data and image quality.MethodsThe study modelled and compared AP and PA knee X-ray radiation dose data using Monte-Carlo software, an Ion Chamber, and thermoluminescence dosemeters (TLDs) on a Rando phantom. Imaging parameters used were 66kVp, 4mAs, 100cm distance and 13 × 24cm collimation. The interval data analysis used a two-tailed t-test. The image quality of a sample of the AP and PA knee X-rays was assessed using Likert 5-point ordinal Image Quality Scoring (IQS) and the Wilcoxon matched pairs test.ResultsMonte-Carlo modelling provided limited results; the Ion Chamber data for absorbed dose provided no variation between AP and PA positions but was similar to the AP TLD dose. The absorbed doses recorded with batches of TLDs demonstrated a 27.4% reduction (46.1μGy; p=0.01) in Skin Entrance Dose (ESD) and 9 - 58% dose reduction (1.6 – 16.4μGy; p=0.00-0.2) to the tissues and organs while maintaining diagnostic image quality (p=0.67).ConclusionThe study has highlighted the various challenges of using different dosimetry approaches to measure absorbed radiation dose in extremity (knee) X-ray imaging. The Monte-Carlo simulated absorbed knee dose was overestimated, but the simulated body organ/tissue doses were lower than the actual TLD absorbed doses. The Ion Chamber absorbed doses did not differentiate between the positions. The TLD organ/tissue absorbed doses demonstrated a reduction in dose in the PA position compared to the AP position, without a detrimental effect on image quality. The study findings in laboratory conditions raise awareness of opportunities and potential to lower radiation dose, with further study replicated in a clinical site recommended.     

Quantification of Dose-Volume and Dose-Length Parameters for Cervical Esophageal Stricture in Head and Neck Irradiation with the 3DCRT and IMRT Technique

PurposeTo quantify and compare dose-volume and dose-length parameters of cervical esophagus between three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and to correlate with incidence of cervical strictures in head and neck cancer irradiation with radical intent.Materials and MethodsForty consecutive head and neck cancer patients who received radical radiation therapy, either with 3DCRT (n = 20) or IMRT (n = 20), between December 2011 and August 2012 were retrospectively analyzed and followed up for at least 4 years post-treatment completion.ResultsThe volumes of cervical esophagus receiving ≥54 Gy (V54) and ≥60 Gy (V60) and lengths receiving circumferential dose of ≥50 Gy (L50) and ≥54 Gy (L54) were significantly higher in patients treated with IMRT as compared to 3DCRT (P ≤ .05). At the end of minimum 4 years' post-treatment, nine patients had documented symptomatic strictures; three patients were treated with 3DCRT and six patients with IMRT technique.ConclusionIMRT technique in entire-neck irradiation is associated with increased spillage dose to the cervical esophagus, and thereby increased risk for late sequelae. The cervical esophagus has to be considered as an organ at risk and constraints need to be given in IMRT planning, particularly for lower-neck irradiation.     

左乳腺癌保乳术后正向调强与逆向调强计划剂量及通过率比较

目的 比较正向调强(f-IMRT)和逆向调强(IMRT)计划用于左乳腺癌保乳术后放疗的优劣势.方法 筛选11例左乳腺癌保乳术后患者为研究对象,采用Pinnacle3治疗计划系统(TPS)建立IMRT和f-IMRT计划,分别采用TPS和Compass三维验证系统分析剂量差异及Gamma通过率,比较2种计划的优势和劣势.结...     

The prevalence of chronic radiation enteritis following radiotherapy for cervical or endometrial cancer and its impact on quality of life

BackgroundStudies suggest that 50% of people may suffer from chronic radiation enteritis (CRE) (Andreyev, J., 2005. Gastrointestinal complications of pelvic radiotherapy: are they of any importance? Gut 54, 1051–1054). Gami et al. (Gami, B., Harrington, K., Blake, P., Dearnaley, D., Andreyev, H.J.N., 2003. How patients manage gastrointestinal symptoms after pelvic radiotherapy. Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics 18, 987–994) argue that this is unimportant if quality of life is unaffected. The aim of this study was to identify how many women experience CRE following radiotherapy and to investigate whether women who have higher doses of radiotherapy or more advanced stage of cancer are more at risk.MethodsWomen (=117) who had completed radiotherapy for cervical or endometrial cancer were asked to complete a validated questionnaire exploring bowel problems and quality of life. Responses were scored and compared to scores for women with known faecal incontinence (Bugg, G.J., Kiff, E.S., Hosker, G., 2001. A new condition-specific health-related quality of life questionnaire for the assessment of women with anal incontinence. British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 108 (10), 1057–1067).ResultsUsing a score of ‘0’ to indicate no symptoms, 47% of women gained scores indicative of CRE (>0), range 20–85 (mean 34, SD 14.4). Younger women (p < 0.001) and women with cervical cancer (p < 0.05) were more likely to score for CRE. No significant relationship was observed between score and either radiotherapy dose or stage of cancer.ConclusionsScoring suggests that about half of woman treated with radiotherapy develop CRE. Quality of life is affected, particularly regarding tiredness and coping behaviours due to lack of warning signs for CRE.     

二维斑点追踪成像评价放射性心脏损伤模型兔左心室收缩功能

目的 观察二维斑点追踪成像(2D-STI)评价放射性心脏损伤(RIHD)模型兔左心室收缩功能的价值.方法 将55只雄性新西兰大白兔分为低剂量(20 Gy)组(n=22)、高剂量(40 Gy)组(n=22)及对照组(n=11),针对前2组建立RIHD模型、对照组实行假放射治疗(放疗).于放疗前(T0期)、放疗后0周(T1...     

乳腺癌保乳术后四种不同放疗计划模式的剂量学研究

目的 对乳腺癌保乳术后患者设计野中野调强放射治疗(FIF-IMRT)、混合调强放射治疗(Hy-IMRT)、静态调强放射治疗(S-IMRT)、容积旋转调强放射治疗(VMAT)四种不同放疗计划,比较四种不同放疗计划模式下的剂量学差异.方法 纳入于2019年1月至6月在广西医科大学第一附属医院确诊为乳腺癌且行保乳术后的22例...     

Case series of radiation pneumonitis in breast cancer

BackgroundRadiation pneumonitis (RP) is a potentially severe inflammatory reaction that occurs in approximately 1-16% of breast cancer patients treated with radiation (RT).MethodsCase histories and patient demographics were collected from 4 patients who received either hypofractionated (42.56 Gy in 16 fractions) or conventionally fractionated (50 Gy in 25 fractions) RT for breast cancer at a cancer centre from 2018-2020 and experienced clinically symptomatic RP. Lung dose parameters including mean lung dose, V5, and V20 were collected from institutional planning software and compared to institutional guidelines.ResultsThe 4 cases were all female, aged 42-73 years old and received 2- or 4-field RT with wide or high tangent techniques. The most common symptoms in patients who developed RP were exertional dyspnea and dry cough. Corticosteroid doses in the daily range of 40-60 mg were the primary treatment followed by a highly variable tapering schedule. Two patients experienced a recurrence of symptoms after initial treatment and were restarted on corticosteroids. Patients had several predisposing risk factors including administration of wide tangents, chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide and/or taxanes, age>65 years, and comorbidities such as diabetes.DiscussionIdentification of RP is difficult as evidenced by the large gap in time between the appearance of RP symptoms to treatment with corticosteroids in several patients. Irregular tapering schedules may contribute to symptom recurrence. Three of the four patients treated with 4-field wide tangents exceeded the 35% dose constraint for ipsilateral lung V20 or V17.5.ConclusionCareful radiation planning and review of lung dose constraints is essential to reduce risk of RP. Greater standardization of steroid tapering practices is recommended.     

Effects of prognostic parameters and radiotherapy on survival of patients with pulmonary cancer

AIM: To analyze factors influencing expected survival of pulmonary cancer (PC) patients given radiotherapy, i.e. age of the patient, stage of the disease, size of the tumor, involvement of the lymph nodes, a total focal dose, space distribution of the dose. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Among PC patients 87% were males and 73.9% were 60 years of age and older. Local PC (stage IIIa and IIIb) was diagnosed in 65.2%. Non-small-cell PC was in 83.8%. Effects of radiotherapy on the survival was analysed in 115 patients. Total focal doses made up 30 Gy (3.0 Gy/10 fractions) to 70 Gy (2.0 Gy/35 fractions). RESULTS: Longer survival was achieved after irradiation with greater dose and modern three-dimentional planning of conformic radiotherapy. A significant prolongation of the survival was seen in raising the total focal dose to 50 Gy. There is a correlation between the dose and conformity of the dose distribution. During the study 58.2% patients died. CONCLUSION: Assessment of the survival of PC patients given radiotherapy has shown that negative prognostic factors are the following: PC stage IIIA, IIIB and IV, extensive local spread of the tumor, large primary tumor, involvement of the lymph nodes.     

不同体位对妇科肿瘤调强放射治疗剂量学和急性放射性肠炎的影响

目的探讨妇科肿瘤调强放射治疗(IMRT)采用俯卧位或仰卧位对危及器官剂量学及放射治疗不良反应的影响,优化IMRT体位固定方式。方法选择42例宫颈癌及子宫内膜癌IMRT患者,按体位固定方式分为俯卧组23例与仰卧组19例。在相同条件下勾画靶区和危及器官并进行治疗计划优化,比较2组患者危及器官剂量-体积关系,分析2组患者急性放射性肠炎的发生情况。结果俯卧组小肠接受15～50 Gy照射剂量的体积均小于仰卧组,其中2组接受20、30、40 Gy剂量的体积比较差异均有统计学意义(P均<0.05)。俯卧组患者结肠接受30、40、45Gy剂量的体积比较差异均有统计学意义(P均<0.05)。俯卧组膀胱接受15～50 Gy照射剂量的体积比仰卧组稍升高,但仅接受20 Gy照射剂量的体积在组间比较差异有统计学意义(P <0.05)。2组患者直肠及股骨头的剂量-体积关系比较差异无统计学意义(P> 0.05)。俯卧组患者消化不良、恶心、呕吐、腹痛和腹泻等急性放射性肠炎的发生率低于仰卧组,但组间比较差异无统计学意义(P均> 0.05)。结论妇科肿瘤IMRT采用俯卧位可降低小肠及结肠接受...     

Comparison of Hypermetabolic and Hypoxic Volumes Delineated on [18F]FDG and [18F]Fluoromisonidazole PET/CT in Non-small-cell Lung Cancer Patients

Purpose

The high rates of failure in the radiotherapy target volume suggest that patients with stage II or III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) should receive an increased total dose of radiotherapy. 2-Deoxy-2-[¹⁸F]fluoro-d-glucose ([¹⁸F]FDG) and [¹⁸F]fluoromisonidazole ([¹⁸F]FMISO) (hypoxia) uptake on pre-radiotherapy positron emission tomography (PET)/X-ray computed tomography (CT) have been independently reported to identify intratumor subvolumes at higher risk of relapse after radiotherapy. We have compared the [¹⁸F]FDG and [¹⁸F]FMISO volumes defined by PET/CT in NSCLC patients included in a prospective study.

Procedures

Thirty-four patients with non-resectable lung cancer underwent [¹⁸F]FDG and [¹⁸F]FMISO PET/CT before (pre-RT) and during radiotherapy (around 42 Gy, per-RT). The criteria were to delineate 40 % and 90 % SUVmax thresholds on [¹⁸F]FDG PET/CT (metabolic volumes), and SUV >?1.4 on pre-RT [¹⁸F]FMISO PET/CT (hypoxic volume). The functional volumes were delineated within the tumor volume as defined on co-registered CTs.

Results

The mean pre-RT and per-RT [¹⁸F]FDG volumes were not statistically different (30.4 cc vs 22.2; P?=?0.12). The mean pre-RT SUVmax [¹⁸F]FDG was higher than per-RT SUVmax (12.7 vs 6.5; P?<?0.0001). The mean [¹⁸F]FMISO SUVmax and volumes were 2.7 and 1.37 cc, respectively. Volume-based analysis showed good overlap between [¹⁸F]FDG and [¹⁸F]FMISO for all methods of segmentation but a poor correlation for Jaccard or Dice Indices (DI). The DI maximum was 0.45 for a threshold at 40 or 50 %.

Conclusion

The correlation between [¹⁸F]FDG and [¹⁸F]FMISO uptake is low in NSCLC, making it possible to envisage different management strategies as the studies in progress show.

     

Impact of Contralateral Breast Shielding on the Risk of Developing Radiation-induced Cancer from Full-field Digital Mammography Screening

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to investigate the impact of contralateral breast shielding on the risk of developing radiation-induced cancer from four-view full-field digital mammography (FFDM) screening.MethodsA poly methyl methacrylate-polyethylene breast phantom and adult ATOM dosimetry phantom were used to measure organ dose on four FFDM machines using craniocaudal and mediolateral oblique projections for each breast. A lead rubber shield of 0.25 mm equivalent lead thickness was used to protect the contralateral breast. Organs dose, effective dose, and effective risk were calculated. For effective risk estimations, the impact of the shield was considered for the routine screening views.ResultsThe contralateral breast dose was reduced by more than 95%. For each FFDM machine, contralateral breast dose reduction in μGy were 35.20 reduced to 1.93, 41.40 reduced to 0.01, 22.85 reduced to 1.24, and 22.76 reduced to 1.66. Effective risk reduction was significant (P < .05). For all FFDM machines, a small reduction was identified in sternum bone marrow dose due to the use of contralateral breast shield.ConclusionsThe results of the study demonstrate the value of a contralateral breast shield. More research is required to determine whether such a shield has clinical utility.     

Association of baseline big endothelin-1 level with long-term prognosis among cardiac resynchronization therapy recipients

BackgroundSerum concentration of big endothelin-1 (ET-1) has prognostic significance in heart failure. However, its prognostic value in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) recipients has not been well-characterized.MethodsA cohort of 367 consecutive patients who received CRT between January 2010 and December 2015 were enrolled, and categorized into three groups according to baseline big ET-1 tertiles: big ET-1 ≤ 0.34 pmol/L (N = 119), big ET-1 between 0.34–0.56 pmol/L (N = 127) and big ET-1 > 0.56 pmol/L (N = 121). The primary endpoints included mortality rate (all-cause) and heart transplantation.ResultsOver a median follow-up of 21 months, 48 (13.08%) patients died, 6 (1.63%) underwent heart transplantation and 100 (27.25%) had heart failure hospitalization (HFH). We found a significant difference in event free survival between the three groups, with high levels of big ET-1 correlating with worse survival (Log-rank test, P < .001). After adjusting for multiple factors in the multivariate model, big ET-1 > 0.56 pmol/L was an independent predictor for primary endpoint event [hazard ratio (HR): 2.005, 95% confidence interval(CI) 1.045–6.2621, P = .040] and HFH (HR = 2.126, 95%CI 1.182–3.827, P = .012).ConclusionBaseline big ET-1 > 0.56 pmol/L was independently associated with higher all-cause mortality and HFH among CRT recipients, and therefore can be added to the marker panel used for stratifying high risk CRT patients for priority treatment.     

Management of advanced heart failure: a review

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Heart failure (HF) has become a global pandemic. Despite recent developments in both medical and device treatments, HF incidences continues to increase. The current definition of HF restricts itself to stages at which clinical symptoms are apparent. In advanced heart failure (AdHF), it is universally accepted that all patients are refractory to traditional therapies. As the number of HF patients increase, so does the need for additional treatments, with an increased proportion of patients requiring advanced therapies.

Areas covered: This review discusses extensive evidence for the effect of medical treatment on HF, although the data on the effect on AdHF is scare. Authors review the relevant literature for treating AdHF patients. Furthermore, mechanical circulatory devices (MCD) have emerged as an alternative to heart transplantation and have been shown to enhance quality of life and reduce mortality therefore authors also review the current literature on the different MCD and technologies.

Expert commentary: More patients will need advanced therapies, as the access to heart transplantation is limited by the number of available donors. AdHF patients should be identified timely since the window of opportunities for advanced therapy is narrow as their morbidity is progressive and survival is often short.