Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia (ARVC/D) is a genetic form of cardiomyopathy (CM) usually transmitted with an autosomal dominant pattern. It primary affects the right ventricle (RV), but may involve the left ventricle (LV) and culminate in biventricular heart failure (HF), life threatening ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD). It accounts for 11%–22% of cases of SCD in the young athlete population. Pathologically is characterized by myocardial atrophy, fibrofatty replacement and chamber dilation.Diagnosis is often difficult due to the nonspecific nature of the disease and the broad spectrum of phenotypic variations. Therefore consensus diagnostic criteria have been developed and combined electrocardiography, echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) and myocardial biopsy. Early detection, family screening and risk stratification are the cornerstones in the diagnostic evaluation. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation, ablative procedures and heart transplantation are currently the main therapeutic options.

CCTA using currently available technology is a reliable noninvasive imaging alternative to coronary angiography with an excellent sensitivity, specificity, and NPV for the detection of CAV.

The results of a preplanned cardiac safety analysis of global longitudinal strain (GLS), and troponin-I (TnI) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in the phase II study of paclitaxel, trastuzumab, and pertuzumab (THP) for metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer are reported. There were no statistically significant changes in GLS, and TnI and BNP levels. The finding supports the cardiac safety of THP in this group of patients.

Cardiovascular toxicity in the form of cardiac dysfunction continues to be an obstacle for patients with cancer. Survival and quality of life of cancer survivors are frequently affected by increased incidence of cardiovascular disease. The involvement of the cardiovascular system by primary or secondary malignancies, as well as its dysfunction secondary to the administration of antineoplastics, has led to the development of a new discipline called Cardio-Oncology, an exciting cardiology subspecialty with more questions than answers and as a result an enormous opportunity for research in the field. Multidisciplinary efforts have been focused on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer therapeutics–related cardiovascular dysfunction (CTRCD). This review article will focus on the early diagnosis of left ventricular dysfunction associated with chemotherapy. Currently, the identification of cardiac toxicity associated with cancer treatment is the cornerstone for critical decisions regarding anticancer therapy and cardioprotective strategies. Its early detection, especially in subclinical phases, allows immediate intervention to prevent further impairment of the myocardium and other cardiovascular structures. The most significant published studies were selected for this revision, providing an updated document for the health professionals involved in the care of patients with cancer. We examined the current evidence and recommendations for biochemical and noninvasive diagnostic techniques, including their specific role for identification of CTRCD. Traditional and advanced imaging modalities, used alone or in combination with cardiovascular biomarkers, are essential for the recognition of cardiotoxicity during cancer therapy. Evolving basic and clinical research are focused on the development of more sensitive and specific diagnostic tools and for the recognition of cardiac toxicity.