The Role of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Detect Cardiac Toxicity From Cancer Therapeutics

Abstract

Purpose of review: The emerging complexity of cardiac toxicity caused by cancer therapies has created demand for more advanced non-invasive methods to better evaluate cardiac structure, function, and myocardial tissue characteristics. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging meets these needs without exposure to ionizing radiation, and with superior spatial resolution.

Recent findings: Special applications of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) to assess for cancer therapy-induced cardiac toxicity include the detection of subclinical LV dysfunction through novel methods of measuring myocardial strain, detection of microcirculatory dysfunction, identification of LV and LA fibrosis, and more sensitive detection of inflammation caused by immune checkpoint inhibitors. CMR plays a significant role in the non-invasive workup of cardiac toxicity from cancer therapies, with recent advancements in the field that have opened avenues for further research and development.

Keywords: Anthracyclines; Cancer therapeutics–related cardiac dysfunction; Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging; Late gadolinium enhancement; Myocardial perfusion.