Radiation therapy of a patient with implantable cardioverter defibrillator

A number of patients who require radiation therapy may suffer from different comorbidities. Cardiac rhythm disturbances represent a comorbidity which in terms may require the implantation of a permanent pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. The function of these electronic implantable devices can be affected by ionizing radiation. For this reason extra caution is needed when such patients undergo radiation therapy. In this article we present the therapeutic management of a patient with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator who underwent palliative radiation therapy for lung cancer.