JACC: CardioOncology on June 16 published three Viewpoint articles examining different challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic for the cardio-oncology patient population.

As the use of telehealth has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, "unique advantages" of telehealth approaches for cardio-oncology patients have emerged, according to one Viewpoint. Amar Parikh, MD, et al., discuss their experience in implementing telehealth visits in a cardio-oncology practice and the benefits and limitations of telehealth for the cardio-oncology patient population. According to the authors, it is critical to minimize potential COVID-19 exposure in cardio-oncology patients, but many routine appointments "cannot safely be deferred." Telehealth is a "durable method of delivering high-quality, longitudinal, accessible care to our cardio-oncology patients both during the pandemic – and beyond," they conclude.

In another Viewpoint, Sarju Ganatra, MD, et al., reviewed preliminary data from China to assess the effects of COVID-19 in patients with pre-existing cancer and cardiovascular disease. According to the authors, the COVID-19 pandemic has shown that patients with cancer and cardiovascular disease are "particularly vulnerable," with an increased risk of contracting the virus and a higher likelihood of having severe disease and adverse outcomes. The cardiovascular community should "pay close attention to this growing patient population, particularly in such times of increased susceptibility," they conclude.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a reduction in cardiovascular imaging for cancer patients could help balance the risk of undetected cardiovascular disease and the risk of potential virus transmission, according to another Viewpoint. Oscar Calvillo-Argüelles, MD, et al., outline considerations for safe imaging during the pandemic, with guidance on imaging before treatment begins, during treatment and following treatment. The authors stress that decisions to modify local practice patterns should involve cardiologists and oncologists and be individualized based on institutional and patient needs. "We believe that such approaches to reduce cardiac imaging during the COVID-19 pandemic will allow the cardio-oncology community to help in 'flattening the curve,'" the authors conclude.

Clinical Topics: Cardiovascular Care Team, COVID-19 Hub

Keywords: COVID-19, Pandemics, Cardiovascular Diseases, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, Medical Oncology, Neoplasms, Telemedicine, China

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