Evaluation of the cardiac subvolume dose and myocardial perfusion in left breast cancer patients with postoperative radiotherapy: a prospective study

Adjuvant breast radiotherapy could reduce the risk of local recurrence. However, the radiation dose received by the heart also increases the risk of cardiotoxicity and causes consequential heart diseases. This prospective study aimed to evaluate more precisely cardiac subvolume doses and corresponding myocardial perfusion defects according to the American Heart Association (AHA)’s 20-segment model for single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) interpretation for breast cancer after radiotherapy. The 61 female patients who underwent adjuvant radiotherapy following breast cancer surgery for left breast cancer were enrolled. SPECT MPI were performed before radiotherapy for baseline study, and 12 months after for follow-up. Enrolled patients were divided into two groups, new perfusion defect (NPD) and non new perfusion defect found (non-NPD) according to myocardial perfusion scale score. CT simulation data, radiation treatment planning, and SPECT MPI images were fused and registered. The left ventricle was divided into four rings, three territories, and 20 segments according to the AHA’s 20-segment model of the LV. The doses between NPD and non-NPD groups were compared by the Mann–Whitney test. The patients were divided into two groups: NPD group (n = 28) and non-NPD group (n = 33). The mean heart dose was 3.14 Gy in the NPD group and 3.08 Gy in the non-NPD group. Mean LV doses were 4.84 Gy and 4.71 Gy, respectively. The radiation dose of the NPD group was higher than the non-NPD group in the 20 segments of LV. There was significant difference in segment 3 (p = 0.03). The study indicated that the radiation doses to 20 segments of LV in NPD were higher than those in non-NPD significantly at segment 3, and higher in other segments in general. In the bull’s eye plot combining radiation dose and NPD area, we found that the new cardiac perfusion decline may exist even in the low radiation dose region. Trial registration: FEMH-IRB-101085-F. Registered 01/01/2013, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01758419?cond=NCT01758419&draw=2&rank=1.