Radiation for Ventricular Tachycardia: What to Know

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a serious heart rhythm disorder that starts in the heart's lower chambers (ventricles). It can cause the heart to beat too fast and inefficiently, leading to symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness, chest pain, and shortness of breath. While several treatment options are available for VT, radiation therapy is sometimes considered for people who have not responded to other treatments or for those who are not eligible for surgery.

How Does Radiation Therapy Work for Ventricular Tachycardia?

Radiation therapy for VT aims to destroy the abnormal heart tissue causing the arrhythmia. When administered to the precise area responsible for VT, high-energy X-rays or other forms of radiation can damage or destroy these problematic tissues, preventing them from generating abnormal electrical signals.

Before Radiation Therapy

Your healthcare team will perform various tests and assessments before considering radiation therapy for VT. This may include a thorough medical history review, electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart), and electrophysiological studies to identify the specific source of VT.

During Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy for VT is usually delivered over several sessions, five days a week for several weeks. It is conducted in an outpatient setting and typically involves the use of:

3-Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy (3D-CRT): This technique involves shaping radiation beams to conform to the shape and size of the target tissue, minimizing radiation exposure to healthy tissues.

Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT): This advanced form of radiation therapy allows the radiation dose to be precisely tailored to the shape of the target tissue, sparing surrounding healthy tissues further.

Radiation therapy sessions typically last only a few minutes, but the total treatment time depends on the nature and extent of the VT.

Potential Risks and Side Effects

While radiation therapy is generally well-tolerated, it can cause side effects such as:

Skin changes and temporary redness or blistering at the treatment site

Fatigue and weakness

Nausea and vomiting

Skin irritation

Hair loss in the treatment area

Lung inflammation (rare)

Risk of developing other types of cancer (very low)

Your healthcare team will closely monitor you for these side effects and take steps to minimize their impact.

Success Rates

Radiation therapy for VT can have variable success rates depending on the individual case and the underlying cause of the arrhythmia. However, studies have shown that it can be an effective treatment option for some people, particularly those who are not eligible for other therapies.

Radiation therapy is not a cure for VT but aims to control the arrhythmia and reduce the frequency of episodes. It may be used in combination with other treatments such as medications or catheter ablation (a minimally invasive procedure to correct heart rhythm problems) to improve outcomes.