Cardioncology: state of the heart

Abstract

Cardiotoxicity caused by chemotherapy is a concerning reality plaguing oncologists and cardiologists. The coexistence of cancer and cardiovascular diseases in the same patient is more common due to the aging population and improvement of chemotherapeutic drug effectiveness. We review the incidence and clinical features of cardiotoxicity caused by some of the most common chemotherapeutic drugs to provide the cardiologist with information regarding general cardiovascular toxicity, early left ventricular dysfunction detection, cardiac damage prevention and follow-up. In conclusion, awareness of this emerging problem has important clinical implications as only highly specialized care will prevent patients who successfully overcome cancer from being defeated by the side effects of anticancer therapy.

Keywords: Cardiotoxicity; Chemotherapy; Early detection; Left ventricular dysfunction.