Electrophysiological and Pathological Impact of Medium-Dose External Carbon Ion and Proton Beam Radiation on the Left Ventricle in an Animal Model

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K17524
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 53020:Cardiology-related
• Research Institution: Kobe University
• Principal Investigator: Takami Mitsuru 神戸大学, 医学部附属病院, 特定助教 (50793717)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 粒子線 / 炭素線 / 陽子線 / 放射線 / 不整脈 / 心室頻拍 / 心室細動

Outline of Final Research Achievements

External beam radiation using medium-dose (25 gray equivalent) carbon ion and proton beam resulted in significant electrophysiological disturbance and pathological changes in the myocardium of the left ventricle.Most electrophysiological and pathological changes were obvious at 3 months after radia-tion and continued at the 6-month follow-up.A large radiation area in the present study re-sulted in pericardial effusion, precordial skin ab-normalities, and partial radiation pneumonitis.Medium-dose carbon ion and proton beam radiation can modify the arrhythmogenic substrate in patients with catheter ablation-resistant ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation.When using this treatment, the radiation area should be focused as narrowly as possible to minimize radiation exposure to the surrounding normal tissues.

Free Research Field

循環器

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

現在不整脈に対する治療として薬物治療やカテーテル心筋焼灼術などが進歩してきている。しかし難治性でかつ致死的な不整脈も存在し突然死などの原因にもなりうる。
粒子線照射はカテーテルなどを体内に挿入する事なく、体外から照射が可能であり侵襲度も低い。今回の研究結果から心臓への粒子線照射が今後、難治性不整脈に対する革新的治療法となる可能性が示唆された。