Differential Impact of Left Ventricular Myocardium and Left Coronary Radiation Dose With Incident Heart Failure and Coronary Events in Lung Cancer Radiation Therapy.

PURPOSE: Left coronary artery dose predictors may not fully model the risk of heart failure (HF), given the potential direct and indirect mechanisms of radiation-induced myocardial injury. The differential impact of left ventricular myocardium (LVmyo) versus left coronary dose exposure on incident HF and acute coronary events (ACEs) was studied.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: Retrospective analysis of 748 patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with curative-intent radiation therapy (RT). The cumulative incidences of grade ≥3 HF with reduced or preserved ejection fraction (HFrEF, HFpEF, respectively) and ACE were estimated. Fine-Gray regressions were performed (death as a competing risk).

RESULTS

The median age was 65 years (interquartile range [IQR], 57-73), and 49.2% were female. The 2-year cumulative incidences of incident HFrEF, HFpEF, and ACE were 4.4%, 2.1%, and 1.7%, respectively. LVmyo V10Gy ≥10.7 cc was associated with an increased risk of incident HFrEF (subdistribution hazard ratio [SHR], 3.70; 95% CI, 1.32-10.37; P = .013), whereas left anterior descending (LAD) V15Gy was not (P > .050). For HFpEF, baseline CT-derived left atrial volume index (mL/m2) (sHR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.00-1.06; P = .033) and major lung surgery (lobectomy sHR, 4.51; P = .022; pneumonectomy sHR, 12.72; P = .001) were associated. For ACE, LAD V15Gy ≥1.1 cc was associated (sHR, 18.43; 95% CI, 2.34-145.19; P = .006), though LVmyo was not (P = .77).

CONCLUSIONS

We observed distinct associations between LVmyo and LAD radiation exposure with HFrEF and ACE, respectively. Left atrial volume index and the extent of pulmonary resection were associated with HFpEF. These findings align with a growing body of evidence identifying potentially modifiable predictors of distinct cardiovascular endpoints following thoracic RT.