Diagnostics in cardio-oncology: a focus on anthracyclines

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases and cancer are the primary causes of morbidity and mortality globally and often occur together. The emergence of cardio-oncology as an independent interdisciplinary field of medicine emphasizes the need for enhanced approaches to diagnose cardiovascular complications in patients with cancer. Although anthracyclines, especially doxorubicin (DOX), are effective against many malignancies, their dose-dependent cardiotoxicity necessitates careful cardiovascular monitoring. Cardiovascular imaging plays a key role in the noninvasive assessment of doxorubicin-associated cardiovascular changes complemented by biomarkers and the evaluation of clinical status. Evidence-based selection and interpretation of images can facilitate early detection of cardiovascular damage, potentially affecting therapeutic interventions and enhancing outcomes following cancer treatment. Advances in innovative diagnostic technologies are crucial for improving the early diagnosis, risk assessment, and monitoring of cardiovascular complications in doxorubicin-treated cancer patients. Further research in this area will refine the patient management strategies at the intersection of cardiology and oncology. This article aims to provide an overview of the diagnostic considerations in cardio-oncology, especially DOX-induced cardiovascular toxicity.