Effect of chemotherapy in tumor on coronary arteries: Mechanisms and management.

ABSTRACT

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is an important contributor to the cardiovascular burden in cancer survivors. The development of coronary ischemia events, myocardial infarction, and heart failure has been associated with many conventional chemotherapeutic agents, new targeted therapies, and immunotherapy. The most frequent pathological manifestations of chemotherapy-mediated coronary damage include acute vasospasm, acute thrombosis, accelerated atherosclerosis development, and microvascular dysfunction. Potential screening techniques for CAD patients include baseline risk factor evaluation, polygenic risk factors, and coronary artery calcium scores. Determining the risk requires consideration of both the type of chemotherapy and the type of cancer being treated. Cardiology-oncology guidelines offer some suggestions for the care of coronary artery disease, which might involve medication, lifestyle changes, and coronary revascularization.