Do you restrict the dose rate during treatment delivery to a pacemaker in addition to limiting the Dmax?
Answer from: Radiation Oncologist at Academic Institution
Delivering a high dose rate implies that the pacemaker would be exposed to the machine's direct output. High-dose-rate exposure to a pacemaker could lead to an instantaneous malfunction and, even if temporary, should be avoided. Please err on the safe side.
Answer from: Radiation Oncologist at Community Practice
AAPM has very detailed guidelines for the Management of radiotherapy patients with implanted cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators: A Report of the AAPM TG-203. Miften et al., PMID 31571229Also from Practical Rad Onc: Fagerstrom and Marotta, PMID 37578411.
Answer from: Radiation Oncologist at Community Practice
Avoid heroics; call the patient's electrophysiologist and request that he move the pacemaker/CIED to the patient's right side, far away from the target. It is a same-day surgery and requires light anesthesia. If the patient's device is intracardiac and immovable, then defer radiation therapy. No dev...
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Radiation Oncologist at Retired Not once since I started practice in the 1980s has...