ABSTRACT
The radiation response of the heart is called radiation carditis. The myocardial cells are highly radioresistant on the criterion of morphological changes. The structural changes in the myocardium are seen only after high-radiation therapeutic doses. The pericardial cells are relatively more radiosensitive; the damage to the pericardium is produced with more frequency at lower radiation doses. The fine vasculatures are relatively radiosensitive; therefore, acute and chronic effects of irradiation of the heart are primarily due to the damage of the vascular system.
