A recent study out of the North-East region of Colombia found that patients with a high body mass index (BMI) treated for breast cancer may experience more cardiotoxicity during chemotherapy. The study will be presented during ACC Latin America 2023 Together with Asociación Costarricense de Cardiología, held Aug 11-12 in San Jose, Costa Rica.

Ivetteh Gaibor Santos, MD, et al., used an anonymized database of breast cancer patients who started chemotherapy with doxorubicin or trastuzumab between January and December 2021 to examine the impact of BMI on heart health during chemotherapy. The analysis only included patients who had a baseline echocardiogram and at least one follow-up echocardiogram. The database also recorded sociodemographic, oncological, cardiovascular and echocardiographic variables.

The study cohort included 67 patients, with an average age of 55 years old and mean BMI of 26.18 kg/m². Baseline characteristics of the study cohort included obesity (20.9%), hypertension (14.93%) and Type 2 diabetes (13.43%). All the patients had a normal left ventricular ejection fraction before starting chemotherapy.

Results found the prevalence of cardiotoxicity was 11.94%. A body mass index of 25 and above (overweight/obesity) was the only predisposing risk factor for developing this adverse effect. According to the study authors, early diagnosis of cardiotoxicity and related factors is vital to allow treating clinicians to reduce adverse outcomes.

“Addressing obesity in cancer patients before starting chemotherapy as well as considering the potential risk for cardiotoxicity requires a comprehensive approach,” Gaibor Santos said. “Some strategies clinicians can consider include pre-treatment assessment, lifestyle interventions and cardiovascular risk management. It is important to note that these strategies should be tailored to each patient’s specific needs and in accordance with current evidence-based guidelines.”

ACC Latin America 2023 will bring together global experts to discuss, share and critique the latest in cardiovascular prevention to improve the heart health and care in patients throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Other clinical cases and poster presentations include:

• Chemotherapy-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Patients with Breast Cancer – A Single Center Registry
• CHAGA-Check – An AI-Based Diagnosis and Early Treatment Model for Chagas Disease in Underserved Communities: A Cost-Effectiveness Feasibility Study
• Clinical Implications of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Findings Among Women in Developing Nations
• Prevalence of Self-Reported Acquired Cardiovascular Disease and Risk Factors Among Adolescents and Young Adults in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Learn more at ACC.org/LatinAmerica2023.

Clinical Topics: Cardio-Oncology

Keywords: Cardiovascular Diseases, Breast Neoplasms, Stroke Volume, Body Mass Index, Cardiotoxicity, ACC International

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