Over the last several years, the Latin America region has seen an increased population life expectancy, and cardiovascular disease and cancer are now the top causes of death in Cuba. A new international perspective published March 16 in JACC: CardioOncology evaluates the present and future state of the rapidly growing cardio-oncology specialty in the country.

Manuel Bazan, MD, et al., explain that the Institute of Oncology and Radiobiology, located in Havana, made waves in 2010 by establishing a team of cardiologists, oncologists, and additional clinicians that worked to evaluate oncologic patients that showed signs of cardiotoxicity or had a history of cardiovascular disease. Since then, multiple hospitals have formed similar groups to improve patient outcomes and hone best practices in cardio-oncology.

"Multiple efforts are under way in Cuba to enhance cardio-oncology prevention, detection, treatment, and monitoring," explain the researchers. These efforts include: the formation of cardio-oncology groups across the country; usage of interventional methods for cancer patients with pericardial effusions; research on early predictors in chemotherapy-related cardiac dysfunction; increased focus on the unique needs of female cardio-oncology patients; and more.

However, they add that key improvement areas remain. Of utmost importance: increasing awareness of the risk of cardiotoxicities and the role of preventative cardiology; strengthening coordination, communication, and information-sharing between oncologists and cardiologists; incorporating cardio-oncology in cardiology fellowship curriculums; "improving protocols for diagnosis, evaluation, monitoring, and risk stratification of [cardiovascular diseases] in cancer patients;" and more.

Clinical Topics: Cardio-Oncology, Pericardial Disease

Keywords: ACC International, Cardiotoxicity, Latin America, Pericardial Effusion, Life Expectancy, Cuba

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