Review shows reduction in mean heart dose versus free breathing approach in left breast irradiation
FRIDAY, Jan. 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) technique is associated with a reduction in the mean heart radiation dose during left breast irradiation, according to a review published online Jan. 7 in the Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences.
Lloyd M. Smyth, R.T., from The Epworth Center in Richmond, Australia, and colleagues conducted a systematic review of the literature to identify articles relating to the dosimetric benefit of DIBH. The authors analyzed data from 10 studies comparing the mean heart dose of DIBH and benefits of DIBH during left breast irradiation.
The researchers found that, compared with a free breathing approach, DIBH reduced the mean heart dose by up to 3.4 Gy. The DIBH technique was found to be stable and reproducible according to data from four studies. Based on current estimates, a reduction of 3.4 Gy in mean heart dose is equivalent to a 13.6 percent reduction in the projected increase in heart disease risk.
“DIBH is a reproducible and stable technique for left breast irradiation showing significant promise in reducing the late cardiac toxicities associated with radiation therapy,” the authors write.
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