Two professions against two killer diseases: the rationale, organization, and initial experience of a cardio-oncology service

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the most common factor affecting prognosis in cancer survivors. Cardio‑oncology (CO) services have been developed to solve this issue. The outcomes regarding patient demographics and clinical findings are limited and the available data include CO services evaluating patients undergoing only chemotherapy as opposed to those also undergoing radiation therapy.

Aims: We aimed to show initial experiences of the CO service implemented in a tertiary oncology center.

Methods: The CO service was designed to include 2 major domains, general CO and electrotherapy consultations. This observational study included patients referred to the CO service with the following data: baseline demographics, cancer type, reasons for referral, cardiac evaluation, and initial clinical outcomes.

Results: All patients with cancer referred to our CO service between March 2016 and December 2019 were included in the study. A total of 2762 patients (77% women) at the mean (SD) age of 62 (12) years were referred (63% on an out‑patient basis) for general consultations. The most frequent diagnosis was breast cancer (66%). A total of 18% of patients were referred to the CO service due to cardiovascular complications related to cancer treatment. The CO–cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) team evaluated 652 patients (515 patients with CIEDs who were qualified for radiotherapy, 48 patients with CIEDs who were assessed with magnetic resonance imaging, and 89 patients with CIEDs who underwent cancer surgery). In the total of 5872 radiotherapy sessions, there were 2 harmful interactions; no other complications during magnetic resonance imaging and surgery were recorded.

Conclusions: The CO‑service established within the cancer center seems to be safe and feasible.