Oesophagopericardial fistula as a late complication of stereotactic radiotherapy for recurrent ventricular tachycardia

Severe adverse effects of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for recurrent ventricular tachycardias (VTs) have not been reported. We describe the late complication of SBRT (25 Gy, CyberKnife, Accuray) in a 67-year-old patient with previous arterial coronary revascularization, including gastroepiploic artery, and subsequent recurrent VTs despite catheter ablation. He developed radiation oesophagitis 18 days after SBRT, which resolved on antiulcer therapy, and 6 months later was admitted for severe symptomatic ulcer. Despite intensive treatment, he died because of bleeding oesophagopericardial fistula. Post-mortem macroscopic picture shows the myocardial substrate in the inferior wall (black arrows) and adjacent oesophagopericardial fistula through the parietal pericardium (open arrows). Inset depicts radiosurgical treatment plan with coloured isodose lines.