Dr. Jabbari on the Potential for Implantable Cardiac Devices to Malfunction Following RT

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

Radiation therapy is becoming a bigger player in the management of all stages of lung cancer. However, Jabbari says, there is a known potential issue of radiation causing implantable cardiac devices to malfunction. This could be catastrophic to a patient.

While it is possible to risk-stratify and manage patients who receive radiation therapy, there are practical and logistical barriers to evaluating each pacemaker/device.