Radiation-induced chronic arterial injury.

Acute arterial disruption associated with infection, previous irradiation, and the postoperative state is a well-described entity. The recognition of a chronic form of radiation-induced arterial injury presenting years after therapeutic doses of radiation is less well appreciated. This paper summarizes the vital data obtained by reviewing the literature concerning 162 cases of arterial injury associated with prior radiotherapy. The vessels involved include coronary arteries, the aorta, renal arteries, the extra- and intracranial circulation, the ilio-femoral system, and the upper extremity arteries. A review of the histologic findings, the studies regarding pathogenesis, and the morphology of the lesions found in these 162 patients suggests a disease distinct from the atherosclerotic process.