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Challenges in Cardiovascular Imaging in Women with Breast Cancer

  • Women and Cardiovascular Health (N Goldberg and S Lewis, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Cardiovascular imaging in breast cancer patients is paramount for the surveillance of cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD); however, it comes with specific limitations.

Purpose of Review

This review aims to describe the unique challenges faced in cardiovascular imaging of breast cancer patients, discuss evidence to support the utility of various imaging modalities, and provide solutions for improvement in imaging this unique population.

Recent Findings

Updated clinical society guidelines have introduced more unifying surveillance of CTRCD, although there remains a lack of a universally accepted definition. Traditional and novel multi-modality imaging can be used to detect CTRCD and myocarditis in breast cancer patients.

Summary

Cardiovascular imaging in breast cancer patients is difficult due to reconstructive surgery. Although echocardiography with myocardial strain is the cornerstone, multi-modality imaging can be used to evaluate for CTRCD and myocarditis. Novel imaging techniques to improve the diagnosis of cardiotoxicities in breast cancer patients are needed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 N. St. Clair Street, Suite 600, Chicago, IL, USA

    Kamari Ositelu & Nausheen Akhter

  2. Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA

    Alexandra Trevino

  3. The Cardiac & Vascular Institute, Gainesville, FL, USA

    Ann Tong

  4. Department of Cardiology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Ming Hui Chen

  5. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Ming Hui Chen

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  1. Kamari Ositelu
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Correspondence to Nausheen Akhter.

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Ositelu, K., Trevino, A., Tong, A. et al. Challenges in Cardiovascular Imaging in Women with Breast Cancer. Curr Cardiol Rep 25, 1247–1255 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-023-01941-3

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