Cardio-Oncology Department

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Cardio-Oncology: Bridging Cardiology and Oncology

Cardio-oncology is a new branch of medicine addressing the co-existence of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Its main purpose is to consider both cardiology and oncology aspects to make the best decisions regarding prevention, monitoring and treatment of diseases.

Cancer and cardiovascular disease are the two most common non-communicable diseases causing the highest global mortality. In recent years, the growing volume of the elderly population and improved overall survival has led to the co-existence of these conditions in a large group of patients. Moreover, cardiovascular events have been recognized as a major cause of mortality among cancer survivors.

As a tertiary cardiovascular center, this institution has dealt with a significant number of cancer patients referred for cardiovascular evaluation. This experience has recently been structured, and the cardio-oncology discipline has been launched in Shaheed Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center.

Clinical Services and Patient Profile

Main Patient Group

70 percent of visited patients suffer from breast cancer.

Next Common Group

Patients with GI cancers are the next most common group.

Clinic Availability

Cardio-oncology and cardiology consult services are available on a weekly basis.

Imaging Workup

Patient imaging workup is performed on a daily basis.

Core Purpose

Prevention, monitoring and treatment of cardiovascular complications in cancer care.

Care Model

Integrated decision-making across cardiology and oncology.

Since the launch of the program, many patients have been visited for oncology-related cardiovascular assessment at our center. The patient profile shows that 70 percent of them suffer from breast cancer, with GI cancer patients being the next most common group.

Currently, cardio-oncology and cardiology consult services are available in a weekly basis clinic; however, imaging workup of the patients is performed on a daily basis.

Advanced Imaging Techniques

Three-dimensional echocardiographic evaluation of LVEF and strain imaging are routinely used for serial assessment of breast cancer patients and others referred for cardiotoxicity evaluation. CMR is also available in the center and is mostly reserved for equivocal echocardiographic results and research purposes.

Research Focus and Fellowship

Several investigational projects are being run in the department, mainly focusing on earlier and more sensitive detection of cardiotoxicity. This includes the evaluation of the additive value of circumferential strain imaging and the use of heart model software compared to routine 3D evaluations of left ventricular function among patients undergoing anthracycline and other cardiotoxic treatments.

  • Earlier detection of cardiotoxicity
  • More sensitive cardiotoxicity assessment
  • Circumferential strain imaging research
  • Heart model software evaluation
  • 3D left ventricular function assessment
  • Anthracycline and cardiotoxic treatment monitoring
Considering the limited number of specialists and inadequate expertise in this field, the curriculum for a cardio-oncology fellowship training in the center is being prepared based on the latest international recommendations.

This program aims to expand knowledge and improve the clinical care of cancer patients in an organized manner in order to decrease the cardiovascular burden of these patients.