Many existing and emerging cancer therapies have significant impact on the cardiovascular (CV) health of patients with cancer and cancer survivors. This manuscript examines current aspects of interdisciplinary cardio-oncology clinical care delivery and education in the United States and outlines how these data provide a platform for future development of the field. We present the results of the nationwide survey on cardio-oncology services, practices and opinions, conducted among Chiefs of Cardiology and Program Directors, that demonstrate ranges of clinical activities and identify significant interest for increased educational opportunities and expert training of CV physicians in this field. The survey respondents recognized clinical relevance, but emphasized lack of national guidelines, lack of funds, and limited awareness and infrastructure as the main challenges for development and growth of cardio-oncology. We discuss potential solutions to unmet needs through interdisciplinary collaboration and the active roles of professional societies and other stakeholders.

Racial and ethnic disparities in cardiovascular health care are well documented. Promising approaches to disparity reduction are increasingly described in literature published since 1995, but reports are fragmented by risk, condition, population, and setting. The authors conducted a systematic review of clinically oriented studies in communities of color that addressed hypertension, hyperlipidemia, physical inactivity, tobacco, and two major cardiovascular conditions, coronary artery disease and heart failure. Virtually no literature specifically addressed disparity reduction. The greatest focus has been African American populations, with relatively little work in Hispanic, Asian, and Native American populations. The authors found 62 interventions, 27 addressing hypertension, 9 lipids, 18 tobacco use, 8 physical inactivity, and 7 heart failure. Only 1 study specifically addressed postmyocardial infarction care. Data supporting the value of registries, multidisciplinary teams, and community outreach were found across several conditions. Interventions addressing care transitions, using telephonic outreach, and promoting medication access and adherence merit further exploration.

Objectives By examining the distribution of CAC across FRS strata in a large, multi-ethnic, community-based sample of men and women, we sought to determine if lower risk persons could potentially benefit from CAC screening. Background The 10-year Framingham risk scores (FRS) and coronary artery calcium (CAC) are predictors of coronary heart disease (CHD). CAC ≥300 is associated with the highest risk for CHD even in low risk (FRS <10%) persons; however expert groups have suggested CAC screening only in intermediate risk (FRS 10–20%) groups. Methods We included 5660 MESA participants. The number needed to screen [number of people that need to be screened to detect one person with CAC above the specified cut-point (NNS)] was used to assess the yield of screening for CAC. CAC prevalence was compared across FRS strata using chi-square tests. Results CAC >0, ≥100 and ≥300 were present in 46.4%, 20.6% and 10.1% of participants, respectively. Prevalence and amount of CAC increased with higher FRS. CAC ≥300 was observed in 1.7% and 4.4% of those with FRS 0–2.5% and 2.6–5%, respectively (NNS =59.7 and 22.7). Likewise, CAC ≥300 was observed in 24% and 30% of those with FRS 15.1–20% and >20%, respectively (NNS =4.2 and 3.3). Trends were similar when stratified by age, gender and race/ethnicity. Conclusions Our study suggests that in very low risk individuals (FRS ≤5%), the yield of screening and probability of identifying persons with clinically significant levels of CAC is low, but becomes greater in low and intermediate risk persons (FRS 5.1–20%).

Cardiovascular disease and cancer are the leading causes of death in the United States, and hormone-dependent cancers (breast and prostate cancer) are the most common noncutaneous malignancies in women and men, respectively. The hormonal (endocrine-related) therapies that serve as a backbone for treatment of both cancers improve survival but also increase cardiovascular morbidity and mortality among survivors. This consensus statement describes the risks associated with specific hormonal therapies used to treat breast and prostate cancer and provides an evidence-based approach to prevent and detect adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Areas of uncertainty are highlighted, including the cardiovascular effects of different durations of hormonal therapy, the cardiovascular risks associated with combinations of newer generations of more intensive hormonal treatments, and the specific cardiovascular risks that affect individuals of various races/ethnicities. Finally, there is an emphasis on the use of a multidisciplinary approach to the implementation of lifestyle and pharmacological strategies for management and risk reduction both during and after active treatment.

Certain cancer therapies, including radiation therapy and some types of chemotherapies, are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and events. Some of these effects such as those presented by anthracyclines, radiation therapy, cisplatin, as well as those presented by hormone therapy for breast cancerusually taken for many years for some breast and prostate cancers-are long-lasting and associated with cardiovascular events risk more than 20 years after cancer treatment. Cardiovascular testing, diagnostic assessment of suspected cardiovascular symptomatology, as well as laboratory tests for CVD risk factors are imperative. The early recognition and treatment of CVD processes that arise in survivorship years is pivotal, with specific attention to some CVD processes with specific suggested treatment modalities. Preventive measures include adequate screening, the use of medications such as ACE inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers and/or beta blockers, statin therapy and aspirin in persons who warrant these medications, as well as therapeutic lifestyle modifications such as exercise/physical activity, weight loss and appropriate diet for a healthy lifestyle. Periodic follow-up with a good primary care physician who understands the risks associated with cancer therapy is important, and referral to onco-cardiology for further management of cardiovascular risk in these survivors is based on a patient's cardiovascular risk level and the type, amount and duration of cancer therapies received during the patient's lifetime.

Erectile dysfunction is common in men referred for MPS, is associated with markers of adverse cardiovascular prognosis, and is an independent predictor of severe coronary heart disease and high-risk MPS findings. These results suggest that questioning about sexual function may be a useful tool for stratifying risk in individuals with suspected coronary heart disease.

In the cardio-oncology population, drug interactions are of particular importance given the complex pharmacological profile, narrow therapeutic index, and inherent risk of therapies used to manage cardiovascular disease and cancer. Drug interactions may be beneficial or detrimental to the desired therapeutic effect. Clinicians in both cardiology and oncology should be cognizant of these potential drug-drug interactions that may reduce the efficacy or safety of either cardiovascular or cancer therapies. These risks can be mitigated through increased recognition of potential drug-drug interaction, use of alternative medications when possible, and careful monitoring. This scientific statement provides clinicians with an overview of pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic drug-drug interactions in patients with cancer exposed to common cardiovascular and cancer medications.

Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (LVH) is a major independent predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) survival, and is more prevalent in blacks than whites. In a large biracial population, we evaluated the ability of ECG-determined LVH (ECG-LVH) to reclassify CVD/coronary heart disease (CHD) events beyond traditional risk factors in blacks and whites. The analysis included 14,489 participants (mean age 54+/−5.7 years, 43.5% men, 26% black) from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) cohort, with baseline (1987–989) ECG, followed for 10 years. Predicted risk for incident CVD and CHD were estimated using the 10-year Pooled Cohort and Framingham risk equations (base models 1a/1b), respectively. Models 2a and 2b included respective base model plus LVH by any of 10 traditional ECG-LVH criteria. Net reclassification improvement (NRI) was calculated, and the distribution of risk was compared using models 2a and 2b vs. models 1a and 1b, respectively. There were 792 (5.5%) 10-year Pooled Cohort CVD events, and 690 (4.8%) 10-year Framingham CHD events. LVH defined by any criteria was associated with CVD and CHD events [HR (95% CI): 1.62 (1.38–1.90) and 1.56 (1.32–1.86), respectively]. LVH did not significantly reclassify or improve C-statistic in models 2a/b [C-statistics: 0.767/0.719; NRI=0.001 (p=NS)], compared with the base models 1a/b (C-statistics: 0.770/0.718), respectively. No racial interactions were observed. In this large cohort of black and white participants, ECG-LVH was associated with CVD/CHD risk, but did not significantly improve CVD and CHD events risk prediction beyond the new Pooled Cohort and most utilized Framingham risk equations in blacks or whites.