Cardiovascular emergencies in the cancer patient

Cardiovascular emergencies in oncology patients include all of the usual cardiac problems, as well as complications of cancer and its therapy. Pericardial effusions and tamponade, cardiac masses, and extrinsic compression of the heart and great vessels by tumor masses, or fluid collections may all occur. Certain tumors may secrete mediators that are directly toxic to the heart; for example, catecholamines are secreted by pheochromocytomas and serotonin is secreted by carcinoid tumors. Tumors can also cause arrhythmias due to the mediators they secret or to direct mechanical irritation of the heart or pericardium. Cancer therapy is also associated with cardiac emergencies. Perioperative myocardial ischemia or infarction, as well as arrhythmias, may complicate surgery. Pericardial effusions and tamponade can follow surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. Chemotherapy with anthracyclines, mitoxantrone, and trastuzumab may prompt acute and chronic heart failure. 5-Fluorouracil causes coronary spasm in some patients, leading to angina, myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, and/or sudden death. Cyclophosphamide, particularly in high doses, may produce acute myopericarditis. Radiation may cause acute pericardial disease and late sequelae such as myocardial infarction, acute valvular insufficiency, or effusive constrictive pericarditis. Endocarditis also occurs in cancer patients in association with vascular access devices and immune compromise. This review will discuss each of these complications of cancer and its therapy.