Open AccessCardio‐oncology care in the era of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic: An International Cardio‐Oncology Society (ICOS) statement
Author(s) -
Lenihan Daniel,
Carver Joseph,
Porter Charles,
Liu Jennifer E.,
Dent Susan,
Thavendiranathan Paaladinesh,
Mitchell Joshua D.,
Nohria Anju,
Fradley Michael G.,
Pusic Iskra,
StockerlGoldstein Keith,
Blaes Anne,
Lyon Alexander R.,
Ganatra Sarju,
LópezFernández Teresa,
O'Quinn Rupal,
Minotti Giorgio,
Szmit Sebastian,
Cardinale Daniela,
AlvarezCardona Jose,
Curigliano Giuseppe,
Neilan Tomas G.,
Herrmann Joerg
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
ca: a cancer journal for clinicians
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 62.937
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1542-4863
pISSN - 0007-9235
DOI - 10.3322/caac.21635
Subject(s) - pandemic , medicine , disease , intensive care medicine , context (archaeology) , outbreak , population , covid-19 , cancer , global health , infectious disease (medical specialty) , public health , virology , environmental health , pathology , paleontology , biology
Abstract The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS–CoV‐2) has given rise to a pandemic of unprecedented proportions in the modern era because of its highly contagious nature and impact on human health and society: coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). Patients with cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and established CV disease (CVD) are among those initially identified at the highest risk for serious complications, including death. Subsequent studies have pointed out that patients with cancer are also at high risk for a critical disease course. Therefore, the most vulnerable patients are seemingly those with both cancer and CVD, and a careful, unified approach in the evaluation and management of this patient population is especially needed in times of the COVID‐19 pandemic. This review provides an overview of the unique implications of the viral outbreak for the field of cardio‐oncology and outlines key modifications in the approach to this ever‐increasing patient population. These modifications include a shift toward greater utilization of cardiac biomarkers and a more focused CV imaging approach in the broader context of modifications to typical practice pathways. The goal of this strategic adjustment is to minimize the risk of SARS–CoV‐2 infection (or other future viral outbreaks) while not becoming negligent of CVD and its important impact on the overall outcomes of patients who are being treated for cancer.