Stereotactic radiosurgery as neuromodulation of refractory angina: an initial case series

Abstract Background This intervention pilot case series assessed 40-Gy stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) neuromodulation applied to the bilateral stellate ganglion (SG) as a bailout procedure for patients with refractory angina pectoris (RAP). Materials and methods The local institutional review board...

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Main Authors: Jakub Cvek, Otakar Jiravsky, Lukas Knybel, Miroslav Hudec, Radim Spacek, Adrian Reichenbach, Jan Hecko, Radek Neuwirth, Josef Kautzner
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-03-01
Series:Radiation Oncology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13014-025-02608-9
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author Jakub Cvek
Otakar Jiravsky
Lukas Knybel
Miroslav Hudec
Radim Spacek
Adrian Reichenbach
Jan Hecko
Radek Neuwirth
Josef Kautzner
author_facet Jakub Cvek
Otakar Jiravsky
Lukas Knybel
Miroslav Hudec
Radim Spacek
Adrian Reichenbach
Jan Hecko
Radek Neuwirth
Josef Kautzner
author_sort Jakub Cvek
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background This intervention pilot case series assessed 40-Gy stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) neuromodulation applied to the bilateral stellate ganglion (SG) as a bailout procedure for patients with refractory angina pectoris (RAP). Materials and methods The local institutional review board approved this feasibility study. In three patients with RAP, after repeated good response, symptoms were temporarily relieved after anaesthetic blockade of the left SG under ultrasound guidance. Radiosurgical neuromodulation with a dose of 40 Gy in one fraction was used for more permanent pain control. When RAP recurred after the initial SRS, right-sided procedures were considered after a confirmed positive response to right SG anesthetic block. Results No acute or late radiation-related toxicities were observed. Two patients (67%) responded to bilateral SRS (follow-up: 60 and 48 months, respectively). From baseline to 24 months, their average prescribed nitrate package count decreased from 5.5 to 0 and remained low. Daily emergency nitrates declined from 20 to 30 to 1–2 applications, and walking distance improved from 10 to 20 m to 200–400 m and remained stable. Quality of life as measured with the EQ-5D and all domains of the Seattle Angina Questionnaire improved. The third patient received only unilateral SRS, had a temporary improvement for 6 months before a return to baseline, and died after 42 months of follow-up. Conclusions Bilateral radiosurgical neuromodulation at 40 Gy appears to be feasible, safe, and effective as a bailout procedure for RAP.
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spelling doaj-art-79cc0d2b616d4aaca35ef2e4ffc4c3a12025-08-20T02:56:15ZengBMCRadiation Oncology1748-717X2025-03-0120111010.1186/s13014-025-02608-9Stereotactic radiosurgery as neuromodulation of refractory angina: an initial case seriesJakub Cvek0Otakar Jiravsky1Lukas Knybel2Miroslav Hudec3Radim Spacek4Adrian Reichenbach5Jan Hecko6Radek Neuwirth7Josef Kautzner8Department of Oncology, , University Hospital and Faculty of MedicineDepartment of Cardiology, Agel Hospital Trinec-PodlesiDepartment of Oncology, , University Hospital and Faculty of MedicineDepartment of Cardiology, Agel Hospital Trinec-PodlesiDepartment of Cardiology, Agel Hospital Trinec-PodlesiDepartment of Cardiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental MedicineDepartment of Cardiology, Agel Hospital Trinec-PodlesiDepartment of Cardiology, Agel Hospital Trinec-PodlesiDepartment of Cardiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental MedicineAbstract Background This intervention pilot case series assessed 40-Gy stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) neuromodulation applied to the bilateral stellate ganglion (SG) as a bailout procedure for patients with refractory angina pectoris (RAP). Materials and methods The local institutional review board approved this feasibility study. In three patients with RAP, after repeated good response, symptoms were temporarily relieved after anaesthetic blockade of the left SG under ultrasound guidance. Radiosurgical neuromodulation with a dose of 40 Gy in one fraction was used for more permanent pain control. When RAP recurred after the initial SRS, right-sided procedures were considered after a confirmed positive response to right SG anesthetic block. Results No acute or late radiation-related toxicities were observed. Two patients (67%) responded to bilateral SRS (follow-up: 60 and 48 months, respectively). From baseline to 24 months, their average prescribed nitrate package count decreased from 5.5 to 0 and remained low. Daily emergency nitrates declined from 20 to 30 to 1–2 applications, and walking distance improved from 10 to 20 m to 200–400 m and remained stable. Quality of life as measured with the EQ-5D and all domains of the Seattle Angina Questionnaire improved. The third patient received only unilateral SRS, had a temporary improvement for 6 months before a return to baseline, and died after 42 months of follow-up. Conclusions Bilateral radiosurgical neuromodulation at 40 Gy appears to be feasible, safe, and effective as a bailout procedure for RAP.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13014-025-02608-9RadiosurgeryRefractory angina
spellingShingle Jakub Cvek
Otakar Jiravsky
Lukas Knybel
Miroslav Hudec
Radim Spacek
Adrian Reichenbach
Jan Hecko
Radek Neuwirth
Josef Kautzner
Stereotactic radiosurgery as neuromodulation of refractory angina: an initial case series
Radiation Oncology
Radiosurgery
Refractory angina
title Stereotactic radiosurgery as neuromodulation of refractory angina: an initial case series
title_full Stereotactic radiosurgery as neuromodulation of refractory angina: an initial case series
title_fullStr Stereotactic radiosurgery as neuromodulation of refractory angina: an initial case series
title_full_unstemmed Stereotactic radiosurgery as neuromodulation of refractory angina: an initial case series
title_short Stereotactic radiosurgery as neuromodulation of refractory angina: an initial case series
title_sort stereotactic radiosurgery as neuromodulation of refractory angina an initial case series
topic Radiosurgery
Refractory angina
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13014-025-02608-9
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