Importance of cardio-oncology. How to detect subclinical heart failure

Abstract

Today one of the main causes of mortality is cancer. Survival in cancer patients has increased from 1970 (25%) to the present (80%). Following the introduction of anthracyclines as a cancer treatment since 1960-70, more than 60% of patients are treated with these agents, although chemotherapeutic exposure leads to cardiovascular diseases as the main cause of mortality in surviving patients. of cancer in the s. XXI. There are multiple factors that increase the sensitivity of anthracyclic-induced cardiotoxicity. In 1970 the gold standard for the detection of ventricular dysfunction was endomyocardial biopsy, subsequently the detection and management of cardiotoxicity was guided by symptoms, in 1981 the detection of cardiotoxicity was reported with the determination of the ejection fraction of the left ventricle (LVEF), by 2D echocardiography. Currently, the 3D echocardiogram for LVEF and systolic and diastolic volumes have presented a high correlation of the values obtained by magnetic resonance imaging for the evaluation of cardiac function. Today strain, strain-rate and speckle tracking echocardiography are used to determine regional and global myocardial function. For a comprehensive assessment, these results can be complemented with cardiac biomarkers (troponins) and electrocardiographic changes. In this way, subclinical heart failure can be detected and timely treatment can be given.