Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Aims
The need for cardio-oncology competencies is constantly growing, and with the establishment of cardio-oncology services, cardiovascular imaging, particularly transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), has become pivotal in patients' management. However, care pathways for oncologic patients largely depend on local health structures' resources. This survey from Associazione Italiana Medici Cardiologi Ospedalieri and the Italian Society of Echocardiography and Cardiovascular Imaging aimed at investigating the use of echocardiography in cardio-oncology services and knowledge levels on cancer patients' care.Methods and results
Data were obtained via an electronic survey based on a structured questionnaire uploaded to the promoting societies' websites. Responses came from 159 centres with echocardiography. According to one-third of participating centres, workload related to cancer patients represented >30% of the total requests. The most common TTE indication (85%) was left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) evaluation. Many centres (55%) still assessed LVEF solely by bidimensional method or visual estimation in case of inadequate acoustic windows. At the same time, almost 40% of centres reported routinely using global longitudinal strain when feasible. We further performed a sub-analysis according to the presence (33%) or absence (77%) of dedicated cardio-oncologists, revealing significant differences in cardiovascular surveillance strategies and cardiotoxicity management.Conclusion
This survey on echocardiography practice for cancer patients reveals a significant gap between actual clinical practice and standards proposed by recommendations, underlying the need for stronger partnerships between cardiologists and oncologists and dedicated, well-structured cardio-oncology services.
SUBMITTER: Barbieri A
PROVIDER: S-EPMC11367962 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Barbieri Andrea A Camilli Massimiliano M Bisceglia Irma I Mantovani Francesca F Ciampi Quirino Q Zito Concetta C Canale Maria Laura ML Khoury Georgette G Antonini-Canterin Francesco F Carerj Scipione S Campana Marco M Riccio Carmine C Gulizia Michele Massimo MM Grimaldi Massimo M Gabrielli Domenico D Colivicchi Furio F Pepi Mauro M Oliva Fabrizio F
European heart journal. Imaging methods and practice 20240701 3
<h4>Aims</h4>The need for cardio-oncology competencies is constantly growing, and with the establishment of cardio-oncology services, cardiovascular imaging, particularly transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), has become pivotal in patients' management. However, care pathways for oncologic patients largely depend on local health structures' resources. This survey from Associazione Italiana Medici Cardiologi Ospedalieri and the Italian Society of Echocardiography and Cardiovascular Imaging aimed a ...[more]