Radiation Vasculopathy of the Coronary Arteries: State-of-the Art Review.

Radiation-associated coronary artery disease (RACAD) occurs within 1 to 20 years after thoracic radiotherapy and is linked to radiation dose and patient risk factors.

• Why it matters: Understanding RACAD is vital because increased cancer survivorship due to radiotherapy raises the need to manage this distinct form of coronary artery disease, which may be underrecognized and has unique clinical considerations.
• What they did: The review synthesizes current knowledge on RACAD’s biological mechanisms, risk factors, clinical presentation, diagnosis, management, and prevention, highlighting the importance of personalized radiotherapy and surveillance strategies.
• The result: Addressing key knowledge gaps through prospective studies and risk prediction models can improve early detection, prevention, and treatment, ultimately enhancing outcomes for cancer survivors at risk of RACAD.