Radiation-induced heart disease in patients with chest cancer: opinion on the problem

Post-radiation chest injury is characterized by complications in the lungs and heart. Radiation-induced cardiac and vascular damage has been described by various authors. Currently, there are 5 following main types of heart injury after radiation therapy: pericarditis, cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease, acquired valvular heart disease and arrhythmias. The scientific community continues to study this group of heart diseases. There are no unambiguous data on the prevention of these conditions. The aim of this work was to summarize current information on the pathogenesis and consequences of post-radiation heart injury.