Risk Prediction Models for Myocardial Dysfunction and Heart Failure in Patients with Current or Prior Cancer

Cancer patients are at risk for treatment-related myocardial dysfunction and heart failure during or after treatment. Risk prediction models have the potential to play an important role in identifying patients at high or low risk in order to take appropriate measures. Here, we review their current role.

More and more risk prediction models are currently being developed. Unfortunately, they vary widely in their ability to identify patients and survivors at risk for myocardial dysfunction or heart failure, from very poor to strong. Part of this variation might be explained by methodological limitations of the models, but due to a lack of reporting it is not possible to completely assess this. There lies great potential in the improvement of the quality and the use of risk prediction models to inform patients and clinicians on the absolute risk of cardiac events in order to guide care.