Cardiovascular toxicities of cancer chemotherapy

Semin Oncol. 2013 Apr;40(2):156-67. doi: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2013.01.004.

Abstract

Cancer chemotherapy has improved over the years with the advent of newer agents, including more targeted chemotherapeutic drugs, resulting in better patient survival. However, with continued use and patient exposure to these drugs, important cardiovascular adverse effects are becoming realized, such as left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure, myocardial ischemia, hypertension, arrhythmias, and pulmonary arterial hypertension. In this article, we review the most common cardiovascular toxicities and their related pathophysiology that occur with the use of these agents.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anthracyclines / adverse effects*
  • Anthracyclines / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Heart Failure / chemically induced
  • Heart Failure / physiopathology
  • Heart Failure / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / chemically induced
  • Hypertension / physiopathology
  • Hypertension / prevention & control
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Stroke Volume / drug effects
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / chemically induced*
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / physiopathology
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / prevention & control

Substances

  • Anthracyclines
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Biomarkers