Cardio-Oncology Program Building: A Practical Guide.

The organization of a cardio-oncology clinic and overall program is designed to provide comprehensive cardiovascular care to patients who are at risk of or have developed cardiovascular sequelae during or following cancer treatments. In this article, we summarize the core components of a contemporary cardio-oncology program, including its core members (cardiologists, oncologists, clinical pharmacists, advanced practice providers, nurses, and coordinators), key services (risk assessment, treatment planning, cardiac imaging, intervention, and management), and practical integration within the health care system.

Cardio-Oncology and Heart Failure: a Scientific Statement From the Heart Failure Society of America.

Heart failure and cancer remain 2 of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality, and the 2 disease entities are linked in a complex manner. Patients with cancer are at increased risk of cardiovascular complications related to the cancer therapies. The presence of cardiomyopathy or heart failure in a patient with new cancer diagnosis portends a high risk for adverse oncology and cardiovascular outcomes.

Biomarkers and Strain Echocardiography for the Detection of Subclinical Cardiotoxicity in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Anthracyclines.

The optimal surveillance and management strategies for breast cancer patients receiving anthracycline therapy are limited by our incomplete understanding of the role of biomarkers heralding the onset of cardiotoxicity. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a temporal correlation between cardiac biomarkers and subclinical left ventricular dysfunction in breast cancer patients receiving anthracycline chemotherapy. Thirty-one females between 46 and 55 years old with breast cancer treated with anthracycline chemotherapy were prospectively enrolled.

Getting to the Heart of the Matter: An Overview of Cardiac Toxicity Related to Cancer Therapy.

With the improvement in cancer survival, long-term cardiotoxicity has become an area of increased interest. Various cancer therapies, including chemotherapy and radiation therapy can lead to cardiac toxicities with both acute and chronic manifestations. Awareness and early recognition can lead to improvement in cardiac survival and patient outcomes.

Triple Diuretics and Aquaretic Strategy for Acute Decompensated Heart Failure due to Volume Overload.

Diuretics, including furosemide, metolazone, and spironolactone, have historically been the mainstay of therapy for acute decompensated heart failure patients. The addition of an aquaretic-like vasopressin antagonist may enhance diuresis further. However, clinical experience with this quadruple combination is lacking in the acute setting.