Cancer-therapy related cardiac dysfunction
Encompasses cardiac injury, cardiomyopathy and heart failure[i].
Can be symptomatic of asymptomatic
1. Symptomatic CTRCD
HF syndrome with symptoms and clinical signs of volume overload and/or inadequate perfusion caused by structural and/or functional cardiac abnormalities
2. Asymptomatic HF
More frequent in cancer patients then symptomatic HF
Grading is based on the LVEF change; LV GLS and/or biomarkers help further determine severity
| Symptomatic CTRCD | Very severe | HF requiring inotropic support, mechanical circulatory support or consideration of heart transplantation |
| Severe | HF hospitalization | |
| Moderate | Need for outpatient intensification of diuretic and HF therapy | |
| Mild | Mild HF symptoms, no intensification of therapy neede | |
| Asymptomatic CTRCD | Severe | New LVEF reduction to <40% |
| Moderate | New LVEF reduction by ≥10 percent points to LVEF 40-49% OR New LVEF reduction by <10 percent points to LVEF 40-49% AND new decline LV GLS >15% from baseline OR new rise in cardiac biomarkers | |
| Mild | LVEF ≥50% AND new decline LV GLS >15% from baseline AND/OR new rise in cardiac biomarkers |
Myocarditis
Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the heart; in the case of cancer patients mostly due to direct toxicity or to an immune-mediated event.
| Pathohistological diagnosis (EMB) | Multifocal inflammatory cell infiltrates with overt cardiomyocyte loss by light microscopy. |
| Clinical diagnosis#& | cTN elevation (new or significant change from baseline) with 1 major criterion or 2 minor criteria after excluding ACS and acute infectious myocarditis based on clinical suspicion. Major criterion:
Minor criteria:
Suggestive CMR findings. |
| Severity of myocarditis |
|
| Recovery |
|
# Clinical diagnosis should be confirmed with CMR of endomyocardial biopsy if possible and wiothout causing delays of treatment
& In a patient that is unwell, treatment with immunosuppression should be initiated promptly while awaiting further confirmatory testing
Vascular toxicities
Vacular toxicity is the induction or aggravation of vascular disease due to cancer therapy
Can be symptomatic of asymptomatic.
A. Asymptomatic vascular toxicities
recognized by changes in diagnostic testing parameters beyond what can be expected based on analytical and biological variability and common thresholds for abnormality.
B. Symptomatic vascular toxicities
Defined by societal guidelines.
C. Hypertension
An increase in systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure (BP) after initiation of cancer therapy, without any other contributing changes.
Different agents may have variable hypertensive effects and there is remarkable inter-individual variation.
Confirm diagnosis with out-of-office BP measurements.
| Category | Criteria |
| Normal | SBP ≤130 mmHg and DBP ≤80 mmHg |
| Threshold to initiate AH treatment before, during and after cancer therapy | CVD or ASCVD ≥10%: SBP ≥130 mmHg and/or DBP ≥80 mmHg Otherwise: SBP ≥140 mmHg and/or DBP ≥90 mmHg |
| Threshold to withhold cancer therapy | SBP ≥180 mmHg and/or DBP ≥110 mmHg |
| Exaggerated hypertensive response | Systolic BP increase >20 mmHg or mean BP increase >15 mmHg |
| Hypertensive emergency | (Very high) BP elevations associated with acute hypertension-mediated organ damage (heart, retina, brain, kidneys, large arteries), requiring immediate BP reduction to limit extension or promote regression of target organ damage |
QTc prolongation
Fridericia formula (QTcF = QT/RR¹ᐟ³) is preferred for QT correction in cancer patients, as it reduces the overestimation of QT prolongation seen with Bazett’s formula — particularly at higher heart rates — and minimizes inappropriate management changes during QT-prolonging cancer therapy.
| QTcF <480ms | Acceptable: continue current treatment |
| QTcF 480-500ms | Prolonging: proceed with caution; minimize other QT prolonging medications; replete electrolytes |
| QTcF >500ms | Prolonged: stop treatment and evaluate. May require dose reduction or alternative treatment |
References
Lyon A et al (2022) 2022 ESCGuidelines on cardio-oncology developed in collaboration with the European HematologyAssociation(EHA), the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ESTRO) and the International Cardio-Oncology Society (IC-OS)
Herrmann J et al. Defining cardiovascular toxicities of cancer: an International Society of Cardio-Oncology (IC-OS) consensus statement. Eur. Heart J. 2022; 43:280-299.
Richardson DR et al. Association of QTc Formula With the Clinical Management of Patients With Cancer. JAMA Oncol. 2022;8(11):1616–1623. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2022.4194
Incidence
Types of Anthracycline Cardiotoxicity
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is based on:
Risk Assessment
The risk of anthracycline-related CTRCD depends on baseline cardiovascular factors, cancer type, and prior or planned therapies.
A comprehensive baseline CV risk assessment is recommended (https://www.heartscore.org/en_GB/ ), as well as cardiotoxicity risk assessment (https://www.cancercalc.com/hfa-icos_cardio_oncology_risk_assessment.php) .
Anthracycline equivalent dosis calculator: https://www.cancercalc.com/anthracycline.php
Prevention of Anthracycline-Related CTRCD
| Dose considerations | Consider dose reduction:
|
| Schedule modification | Consider:
|
| Formulation | Consider switching to liposomal anthracyclines |
| Cardioprotection | Consider dexrazoxane before each cycle (not reimbursed in Belgium) |
| Heart failure therapy | Aerobic exercise is recommended before and during anthracycline therapy |
| Cardiac monitoring | Close surveillance every 1–2 treatment cycles |
Permissive cardiotoxicity
Continuation or initiation of cardiotoxic cancer therapy (e.g. anthracyclines, trastuzumab) may be feasible in selected patients with mild–moderate cardiotoxicity or pre-existing cardiac disease.
Key elements of perimissive cardiotoxicity:
References
Incidence
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is based on:
Pathogenesis
| Interruption of HER2-targeted therapy | Temporary interruption recommended for:
|
| Continuation of HER2 therapy | Asymptomatic moderate CTRCD (LVEF 40–49%):
Asymptomatic mild CTRCD (LVEF ≥50% with significant GLS decline and/or biomarker rise):
|
| Heart failure therapy | Initiate and uptitrate guideline-directed HF therapy in:
|
| Rechallenge after CTRCD recovery | Possible in patients continuing or restarting HER2-targeted therapy after recovery (LVEF ≥40%, ideally ≥50%):
|
Permissive cardiotoxicity
Continuation or initiation of cardiotoxic cancer therapy (e.g. anthracyclines, trastuzumab) may be feasible in selected patients with mild–moderate cardiotoxicity or pre-existing cardiac disease.
Key elements of perimissive cardiotoxicity:
implementation of cardioprotective strategies
References
| Drug Class | Agents |
| VEGF pathway inhibitors (VEGFi) | Bevacizumab, aflibercept, ramucirumab |
| Multitargeted TKIs with VEGF inhibition | Sunitinib, sorafenib, pazopanib, axitinib, lenvatinib, cabozantinib |
| BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors | Imatinib, dasatinib, nilotinib, ponatinib, bosutinib |
| BRAF inhibitors / MEK inhibitors | Vemurafenib, dabrafenib / trametinib, cobimetinib |
| ALK inhibitors | Crizotinib, alectinib, brigatinib, lorlatinib |
| Proteasome inhibitors | Carfilzomib, bortezomib |
| Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors | Ibrutinib |
| Fluoropyrimidines | 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), capecitabine |
| Platinum compounds | Cisplatin, carboplatin, oxaliplatin |
| Alkylating agents | Cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide |
| Aromatase inhibitors | Anastrozole, letrozole, exemestane |
| Androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (ARPI) | Abiraterone, bicalutamide, enzalutamide |
Treament
| Cancer Therapy | Avoid | Reason |
| ALL | verapamil, diltiazem | CYP3A4 inhibition |
| mTOR inhibotors | ACEi | angioedema |
| platinum-compounds | loop diuretics | oto- and nephrotoxicity |
| cyclophosphamide | thiazide | myelosuppression |
| abiraterone | spironolactone | paradoxical pro-androgenic (eplerenone is safe) |
References
Ventricular Arrhythmias (VA)
Overview
Ventricular arrhythmias are uncommon in cancer patients. The incidence increases with advanced disease and pre-existing cardiovascular comorbidities.
Proposed Mechanisms
Management of Cancer Therapy–Related VA
QTc Prolongation
Most cancer therapy–related VA are associated with QTc prolongation leading to torsade de pointes (TdP).
QTc prolonging cancer drugs and related risk factors are summarized in Tables 1 and 2
Normal QTc values
Clinical guidance
Rechallenge with QTc prolonging therapies
| Classification | Drugs |
| High risk (≥10 ms, TdP risk) | Aclarubicin, Arsenic trioxide, Glasdegib, Nilotinib, Oxaliplatin, Pazopanib, Ribociclib, Sunitinib, Toremifene, Vandetanib |
| Moderate risk (≥10 ms, low or uncertain TdP risk) | Abarelix, Belinostat, Brigatinib, Cabozantinib, Ceritinib, Crizotinib, Dovitinib, Entrectinib, Eribulin, Gilteritinib, Ivosidenib, Lapatinib, Lenvatinib, Osimertinib, Panobinostat, Rucaparib, Selpercatinib, Sorafenib, Tipiracil/Trifluridine, Vemurafenib |
| Low risk (<10 ms) | ADT, Afatinib, Axitinib, Binimetinib, Bortezomib, Bosutinib, Carfilzomib, Dabrafenib, Dasatinib, Encorafenib, Midostaurin, Pertuzumab, Ponatinib, Romidepsin, Quizartinib, Tamoxifen, Vorinostat |
| Correctable | Non-correctable |
QT-prolonging drugs | Acute myocardial ischaemia |
| Bradyarrhythmia | Age >65 years |
| Electrolyte abnormalities (↓K⁺ ≤3.5, ↓Mg²⁺ ≤1.6, ↓Ca²⁺ ≤8.5) | Baseline QTc prolongation |
| Inadequate dose adjustment for renal/hepatic clearance | Family history of sudden death (LQTS or genetic) |
| Female sex | |
| Impaired renal or hepatic function | |
| History of syncope or drug-induced TdP | |
| Pre-existing CVD (CAD, HF, LVH) |
References
Overview
Bradyarrhythmias may occur as a result of cancer therapy, most often with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), immunomodulatory drugs (IMiD), and ALK inhibitors.
Mechanisms
Management
ICI-associated AV conduction disease
Drug-induced sinus bradycardia (IMiD, ALK inhibitors)
References
References
According to the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI) 2016 expert consensus document, the following rules of thumb apply:
References
Commonly / frequently implicated therapies
Most commonly encountered toxicities :
* : diagnosis and treatment according to current ESC guidelines + see specific topic.
# : most urgent diagnosis, specific therapeutic implications – see below.
ICI induced myocarditis:
Diagnostic criteria for ICI-M : pathohistological diagnosis or clinical diagnosis :
| Required | Cardiac troponin (cTn) elevation (new or significant change from baseline) AND ≥1 major criterion OR ≥2 minor criteria, after exclusion of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and acute infectious myocarditis based on clinical assessment. |
| Major criterion | Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) diagnostic for acute myocarditis according to modified Lake Louise criteria |
| Minor criteria |
|
Pathohistological diagnosis (endomyocardial biopsy) : Multifocal inflammatory cell infiltrates with overt cardiomyocyte loss by light microscopy
In order to exclude alternative or co-existing cardiac disease a hierarchical diagnostic approach in ICI myocarditis has been proposed:
| Caveats | |
| Symptoms | Often non-specific;dyspnoea is the most common presenting symptom; chest pain may be absent |
| ECG | Always exclude ACS; ventricular arrhythmias or high ectopic burden and/or new conduction abnormalities (including AV block or PR prolongation) may indicate fulminant disease; continuous telemetry is recommended. |
| Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE | LVEF may be normal in ~50% of cases; GLS abnormalities are prognostic for MACE; pericardial effusion may be present but is not required for diagnosis |
| Cardiac biomarkers | Troponin I or T may be used; Troponin T may be falsely elevated with concomitant myositis; magnitude of troponin rise has prognostic value; NT-proBNP has limited diagnostic utility |
| Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) | May be falsely negative if performed early (<72 h after symptom onset); Repeat CMR if negative but clinical suspicion remains high |
| Endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) | Low threshold recommended in haemodynamic instability (cardiogenic shock / fulminant myocarditis) or when coronary angiography is performed |
| FDG-PET/CT | Conflicting evidence regarding diagnostic accuracy Repeat CMR if negative but clinical suspicion remains high |
| Severity category | Definition / Clinical features |
| Severe | Haemodynamic instability; heart failure requiring non-invasive or invasive ventilation; complete or high-grade atrioventricular block; and/or significant ventricular arrhythmias |
| Non-severe (clinically significant) | Symptomatic myocarditis with haemodynamic and electrical stability; may have reduced LVEF; no features of severe disease |
| Smouldering (subclinical) | Incidentally diagnosed myocarditis without clinical signs or symptoms |
| Steroid-refractory | Non-resolving or worsening myocarditis (clinical deterioration or persistent troponin elevation after exclusion of other causes) despite high-dose methylprednisolone |
| Key points | |
| Steroid initiation | Do not delay corticosteroid therapy in case of diagnostic uncertainty; delayed treatment is associated with significantly worse prognosis |
| Cardiac monitoring |
|
| Immunosuppression escalation and second-line therapy options |
|
| Fulminant myocarditis / cardiogenic shock |
|
Oncological considerations |
|
Rechallenge : possibilities and caveats
ALWAYS discuss case with treating oncologist and/or BITOX :
In case of doubt :
Consider multidisciplinary discussion via BSMO BITOX Immunomanager submission
References
| Category | Key causes |
| Cancer-related | Direct invasion; metastases (lung, breast, melanoma, lymphoma/leukaemia, neighbouring organs); mediastinal lymphatic obstruction |
| Treatment-related | Chemotherapy (anthracyclines, cyclophosphamide, bleomycin, cytarabine); thoracic radiotherapy; targeted therapies (ATRA, arsenic trioxide, TKIs—especially dasatinib); immune therapies (IL-2, IFN-α, ICI); combination therapy ↑ risk |
| Primary pericardial malignancy | Rare; pericardial mesothelioma |
| Infectious | Mainly in immunocompromised patients |
| Other causes | Trauma, cardiac disease, renal failure, thyroid dysfunction (esp. hypothyroidism), idiopathic |
Symptoms
Symptoms are similar to the general population and range from typical pericarditic chest pain (worse when supine or with deep inspiration, relieved by sitting forward) to dyspnoea and fatigue with pericardial effusion, which may be asymptomatic. Cardiac tamponade is a medical emergency, presenting with severe dyspnoea, hypotension, tachycardia, syncope, and signs of poor peripheral perfusion
| Domain | Key points |
| ECG | ECG may show diffuse ST elevation and PR depression (pericarditis); low QRS voltages and electrical alternans (large effusion/tamponade); reactive atrial fibrillation may occur |
| Laboratory tests | CRP; high-sensitivity troponin I or T to exclude myocardial involvement; additional tests guided by differential diagnosis |
| Initial imaging | Chest X-ray may show enlarged cardiac silhouette |
| Cardiac imaging | Transthoracic echocardiography (gold standard) to assess effusion size and haemodynamic impact |
| Advanced imaging (CT / CMR) | Detailed assessment of pericardial inflammation; identification of local tumour invasion or masses |
| Diagnostic confirmation in effusion | Pericardial fluid cytology and/or pericardial biopsy required to confirm or exclude malignant involvement |
| Tumour markers | CEA, CYFRA 21-1, NSE, CA 19-9 may support diagnosis but lack diagnostic accuracy |
| Important note | ~Two-thirds of pericardial effusions in cancer patients are non-malignant → cytology remains essential |
Treatment
A multidisciplinary approach (cardio-oncology, oncology, radiotherapy, surgery) is recommended.
Acute pericarditis
ICI-related pericarditis
Rechallenge after resolution → MDT decision with close monitoring
Pericardial Effusion
General
Short term prognosis
Long-term risks
References
Association with cancer
Diagnosis
Therapy and oncology treatment
References
Lyon AR et al. 2022 ESC Guidelines on cardio-oncology developed in collaboration with the European Hematology Association (EHA), the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ESTRO) and the International Cardio-Oncology Society (IC-OS). Eur Heart J (2022) : 00, 1-133.
| Chemotherapy | Carboplatin, cisplatin Asparaginase Cyclophosphamide Anthracyclines : epirubicin, doxorubicin, daunorubicin Antimetabolites : 5-fluorouracil, capecitabine, cytarabine, 6-mercaptopurine, fludarabine, methotrexate, gemcitabine, pemetrexed Irinotecan Taxanes : paclitaxel, docetaxel, cabazitaxel |
| Endocrine therapy | Tamoxifen |
| Targeted therapy | CDK-inhibitors : palbociclib, abemaciclib, ribociclib IMiDs : thalidomide, lenalidomide, pomalidomide Proteasome inhibitors : carfilzomib Angiogenesis-inhibitors : bevacizumab, axitinib, lenvatinib, pazopanib, sorafenib, sunitinib |
| Immune therapy | Immune checkpoint inhibitors CAR-T cell therapy |
| Other factors in cancer patients | Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents Central venous catheter <6mo after diagnosis |
+ consider cancer type and stage
Diagnostic approach
The same diagnostic approach and monitoring of VTE (DVT & PE) as in non-cancer patients apply.
DIAGNOSTIC CAVEATS :
| Aspect | Key points |
| Incidental VTE / PE | Treat identical to symptomatic VTE / PE |
| PAC-associated thrombosis | Catheter may remain if functional, non-infected, well-positioned, and still indicated; otherwise consider removal (discuss with oncologist). After removal: therapeutic anticoagulation for 3 months. If left in place: extended therapeutic anticoagulation |
| Choice of anticoagulant | DOACs (edoxaban, rivaroxaban, apixaban) are non-inferior to LMWH; avoid vitamin K antagonists (VKA) |
| Treatment duration | Minimum 6 months Consider sufficiently long anticoagulant therapy + imaging reassessment |
| Extended treatment – therapeutic dose | Continue therapeutic anticoagulation in active malignancy, ongoing cancer therapy, or metastatic disease |
| Extended treatment – secondary prevention | Consider reduced-dose apixaban for long-term prophylaxis in selected patients |
| IVC filter | Use in CAT remains controversial |
| Aspect | Key points |
| Very high bleeding risk | Active/recent (<1 month) major bleeding; recent/evolving intracranial lesions; platelets <25,000/mm³ |
| Conditions favouring LMWH | Unoperated GI/GU cancer; GI comorbidities or toxicity; severe renal dysfunction (CrCl <15 mL/min); major drug–drug interactions with DOACs; platelets <50,000/mm³ |
| Thrombocytopaenia (<50,000/mm³) | Multidisciplinary discussion required; consider dose-reduced LMWH |
| Primary VTE prophylaxis | Evidence strongest in post-operative setting: prophylactic LMWH up to 4 weeks postoperatively |
| Cancer therapy interruption | Generally not required in VTE unless in severe PE/VTE. |
| Severe VTE / ATE in IMID therapy / angiogenesis inhibition | Discuss alternatives with treating oncologist |
References
Lyon AR et al. 2022 ESC Guidelines on cardio-oncology developed in collaboration with the European Hematology Association (EHA), the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ESTRO) and the International Cardio-Oncology Society (IC-OS). Eur Heart J (2022) : 00, 1-133.
Gevaert SA et al. Evaluation and management of cancer patients presenting with acute cardiovascular disease: a Clinical Consensus Statement of the Acute CardioVascular Care Association (ACVC) and the ESC council of Cardio-Oncology—part 2: acute heart failure, acute myocardial diseases, acute venous thromboembolic diseases, and acute arrhythmias. Eur Heart J Acute Cardiovasc Care (2022) : 11, 865-74.
Mahé I, Carrier M, Didier M, et al. Extended reduced-dose apixaban for cancer-associated venous thromboembolism. NEJM. Published online March 29, 2025.
Bauersachs RM et al. Guidelines for the management of cancer and thrombosis – Special aspects in women, Thrombosis Research, Volume 135, Supplement 1, 2015,