Improved Overall Survival of Mice by Reducing Lung Side Effects After High-Precision Heart Irradiation Using a Small Animal Radiation Research Platform

High-precision heart irradiation with 8 and 16 Gy using an 8 × 6-mm2 beam induced cardiac amyloidosis and hypertrophy, which did not lead to myocardial dysfunction despite the presence of radiation pneumopathy in the small V16 of the exposed lung. By using the improved irradiation plan (V16: 7%), long-term survival of the mice after heart irradiation can be achieved that allows clinically relevant experimental investigation of late radiation-induced heart disease effects.