Prevalence of cancer therapy cardiotoxicity as assessed by imaging procedures: A scoping review

Advances in treatment and optimization of chemotherapy protocols have greatly improved survival in cancer patients. Unfortunately, treatment can cause a reduction in left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) leading to cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD). We conducted a scoping review of published literature in order to identify and summarize the reported prevalence of cardiotoxicity evaluated by noninvasive imaging procedures in a wide-ranging of patients referred to cancer treatment as chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.

Different databases were checked (PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science) to identify studies published from January 2000 to June 2021. Articles were included if they reported data on LVEF evaluation in oncological patients treated with chemotherapeutic agents and/or radiotherapy, measured by echocardiography and/or nuclear or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging test, providing criteria of CTRCD evaluation such as the specific threshold for LVEF decrease.

From 963 citations identified, 46 articles, comprising 6841 patients, met the criteria for the inclusion in the scoping review. The summary prevalence of CTRCD as assessed by imaging procedures in the studies reviewed was 17% (95% confidence interval, 14-20).

The results of our scoping review endorse the recommendations regarding imaging modalities to ensure identification of cardiotoxicity in patients undergoing cancer therapies. However, to improve patient management, more homogeneous CTRCD evaluation studies are required, reporting a detailed clinical assessment of the patient before, during and after treatment.