Multi-Modality Imaging to Detect Ischemic and Valvular Heart Disease in Adult Cancer Patients

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Cardiology
• Cardio-oncology

Background:

• Significant increase in cancer survivors due to advances in oncology.
• Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in cancer survivors.
• Coronary artery disease (CAD) and valvular heart disease (VHD) pose major risks due to shared factors and cancer therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the importance of detecting CAD and VHD in cancer patients.
• To emphasize the role of cardiovascular imaging in managing cancer therapy-related cardiovascular toxicity (CTR-CVT).
• To underscore the need for risk stratification and multidisciplinary care in this population.

Main Methods:

• Review of current understanding of cardiovascular risks in cancer survivors.
• Emphasis on multimodality cardiovascular imaging techniques.
• Focus on risk stratification and multidisciplinary decision-making.

Main Results:

• CAD and VHD are significant concerns for cancer survivors.
• Cancer therapies can induce or accelerate atherosclerosis.
• Pre-existing CAD/VHD increases susceptibility to CTR-CVT.

Conclusions:

• Early detection of CAD and VHD is critical before, during, and after cancer treatment.
• Multimodality cardiovascular imaging is essential for vulnerable cancer patients.
• Individualized risk assessment and collaborative care are key to managing CTR-CVT.