ESTRO 2024 - Abstract Book

S2964

Interdiscplinary - Other

ESTRO 2024

Maeve O'Leary 1 , Theresa O'Donovan 1 , Annemarie Devine 1 , Dr. Andrew England 1 , Prof. Mark McEntee 1 , Dr. Aileen Flavin 2 1 University College Cork, Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy, School of Medicine, Cork, Ireland. 2 Bons Secours Radiotherapy, in Partnership with UPMC Hillman Cancer Centre, Cork, Ireland

Purpose/Objective:

There has been a steady increase in cardiac implanted electronic devices (CIEDs) in Europe over the last few decades 1 . The number of these patients being treated with Radiation Therapy (RT) is expected to increase 1,2 . These patients may be at risk of device malfunction during RT 1,3 . Currently, Ireland does not have national consensus guidelines in the management of patients with CIEDs in RT. This study aimed to characterize the contemporary management of patients with cardiac implanted electronic devices (CIEDs) undergoing Radiation Therapy (RT) in Ireland.

Material/Methods:

A mixed methods approach of qualitative and quantitative was utilised in this study. A 22-question web-based survey was developed using Qualtrics (Qualtrics, Utah, USA) and subsequently dispersed to the 15 RT centres in Ireland, to obtain demographics, knowledge, confidence level and practices of RT centres when managing patients with CIEDs. Questions were informed by published guidelines 1,4, 5 . Both quantitative and qualitative questions were used. Data were analysed using descriptive and thematic analysis. The survey was piloted by two subject matter experts and amendments made prior to distribution to participants.

Results:

Eleven centres completed the survey (73% response rate). Six (54%) centres reported following a local protocol based on published guidelines, three (27%) centres reported following a local protocol, one (9%) centre reported following the Dutch Society of Radiotherapy and Oncology (NVRO) guidelines, and one (9%) centre reported following a protocol not listed in survey options. Cardiology department involvement practices varied among centres; however, it was clear that cardiology plays a crucial role in managing these patients when undergoing RT.