Cardiac catheterization procedures in children with congenital heart disease: Increased chromosomal aberrations in peripheral lymphocytes

Mutat Res Genet Toxicol Environ Mutagen. 2020 Apr:852:503163. doi: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2020.503163. Epub 2020 Feb 25.

Abstract

Cardiac catheterization procedures are performed on about 20,000 children with congenital heart disease (CHD) annually in China. The procedure, which involves exposure to ionizing radiation, causes DNA damage and may lead to increased cancer risk. We have studied chromosomal aberrations (CA) in peripheral lymphocytes of CHD children. CA frequencies were assessed in an interventional group of 70 children who underwent cardiac catheterization and a control group of 51 children receiving open-heart surgery. Total CA and all chromosome-type aberrations were higher in the exposed children than in the control group. With respect to the type of septal defect, the translocation frequency was higher in patients with ventricular rather than atrial defects. Cardiac catheterization procedures increase CA frequencies and may also increase the risk of cancer.

Keywords: Cardiac interventional therapy; Children; Cytogenetic damage; Ionizing radiation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Cardiac Catheterization / adverse effects*
  • Cardiac Catheterization / methods
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • China
  • Chromosome Aberrations / radiation effects*
  • Female
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / pathology
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Lymphocytes / radiation effects*
  • Male
  • Operative Time
  • Primary Cell Culture
  • Radiation, Ionizing*
  • Risk