Interventional Cardio-Oncology: Adding a New Dimension to the Cardio-Oncology Field

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Oncology
• Interventional Cardiology

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease management in active cancer patients poses unique interventional cardiology challenges.
• Cancer patients frequently have comorbidities like thrombocytopenia and coagulation disorders, increasing vascular access complication risks.
• Anticancer therapies can induce vascular endothelial and myocardial injury.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review safety measures for invasive cardiovascular procedures in cancer patients.
• To discuss the role of intravascular imaging in managing high-risk cancer patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
• To address the lack of data from clinical trials and registries for this patient population.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on managing cardiovascular disease in cancer patients.
• Discussion of safety protocols applicable before and during invasive cardiovascular procedures.
• Exploration of the utility of intravascular imaging techniques.

Main Results:

• Cancer patients present complex challenges due to comorbidities and treatment side effects.
• Standard percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) protocols may not be optimal for cancer patients.
• Safety measures and advanced imaging are crucial for managing these high-risk individuals.

Conclusions:

• Optimizing cardiovascular care for cancer patients requires tailored approaches.
• Implementing specific safety measures and utilizing intravascular imaging can improve outcomes.
• Further research is needed to establish evidence-based guidelines for PCI in cancer patients.