A new scientific statement issued today by the Heart Failure Society of America highlights a critical connection between heart failure (HF) and cancer, with shared mechanisms contributing to the incidence and progression of both diseases. Michelle Bloom, MD, director of the Cardio-Oncology Program at NYU Langone Heart and a professor in the Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, led the effort to advance this work.
The document, published October 15 in the Journal of Cardiac Failure, shows that patients with cancer are at an increased risk of developing HF, while HF patients face a high risk of cancer, emphasizing the need for coordinated care between cardiology and oncology.
"We are only scratching the surface in the expanding field of cancer therapeutics. As we advance, it becomes clear that understanding the full spectrum of cardiac toxicities, including heart failure, is essential for maximizing treatment benefits and safeguarding patient heart health," said Dr. Bloom, the co-lead author.
This statement highlights the need for a multidisciplinary approach to managing heart failure in cancer patients, emphasizing that understanding the intersection of these two complex conditions is vital for enhancing patient outcomes, and addressing disparities in care."
Michelle Bloom, MD, Director, Cardio-Oncology Program, NYU Langone Heart
Dr. Bloom and the team of heart failure specialists, cardio-oncologists, oncologists, and pharmacists developed this document to establish more uniform recommendations, including standardized cardiac imaging protocols during cancer therapies to prevent heart-related complications. More protocols are also needed regarding the notion of "permissive cardiotoxicity," which acknowledges the need to balance some increase HF risk to ensure optimal cancer treatment. Careful assessment by heart failure specialists is crucial in cancer treatments, including during risk assessments for heart transplantation and durable left ventricular assist device (LVAD) placements.
Several key points
"We hope that this document becomes the go-to resource for anything and everything cardio-oncology in heart failure practices," Dr. Bloom added.
In addition to the statement, two supplemental articles have been published: "Cardio-Oncology and Heart Failure: AL Amyloidosis for the Heart Failure Clinician" and "Heart Failure in Patients with Cancer—A Patient's Perspective."