Arrhythmia Treatment Using Carbon Ion Beams

We found that carbon beam irradiation to a part of heart induces Cx43 protein in the whole heart, and antiarrhythmic effect by improve stimulating conduction. Arrhythmia reduced to be 1 from 4 cases in 5 myocardial infarction rabbits after the irradiation, and the expression of Cx43 in mRNA, Immunostaining, and Western Blotting continued for one year. Myocardial infarction dogs also showed increased expression of Cx43 and decreased arrhythmia, and no myocardial injury was observed at one year later the irradiation. Electrophysiological heart studies were conducted in 8 mediastinum cancer patients treated with carbon and follow-up for 5 years. Tendency of arrhythmia observed in 5 cases decreased in 4 cases but 1 case was unchanged, and no side-effects were observed.International Symposium on Ion Therapy 201