medwireNews: ESMO has published consensus recommendations on the optimal care needed to prevent, screen for, monitor, and treat cardiovascular (CV) toxicity in patients undergoing treatment for cancer.
As published in the Annals of Oncology, the multidisciplinary writing group provide detailed advice on:
- Screening for CV risk factors before beginning cardiotoxic cancer treatment using biomarkers, electrocardiogram, and/or left ventricular ejection fraction evaluation (LVEF);
- Prophylactic use of cardioprotective agents, such as the iron chelator dexrazoxane, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, statins, or beta blockers;
- Imaging, biomarker or blood pressure surveillance for LV changes and other complications during treatment;
- Referral to a cardio-oncology specialist on detection of LVEF decrease, decrease in global longitudinal strain, or an increase in cardiac troponin;
- CV care for patients who develop heart failure during cancer treatment;
- Follow-up screening and health advice after completion of cancer treatment for patients with and without CV toxicity;
- Care for patients who develop CV symptoms or develop CV abnormalities during immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.
“Education of health care providers, particularly the next generation of cardiologists and haemato-oncologists, along with patients, on the importance of CV health and anticancer treatment should translate into better cancer and CV clinical outcomes”, the ESMO consensus recommendation authors conclude.
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