No abstract

Purpose of Review Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have improved the survival of several cancers. However, they may cause a wide range of immune-related adverse events (irAEs). While most irAEs are manageable with temporary cessation of ICI and immunosuppression, cardiovascular toxicity can be associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. As ICIs evolve to include high-risk patients with preexisting cardiovascular risk factors and disease, the risk and relevance of ICI-associated cardiotoxicity may be even higher. Recent Findings Several cardiovascular toxicities such as myocarditis, stress cardiomyopathy, and pericardial disease have been reported in association with ICIs. Recent findings also suggest an increased risk of atherosclerosis with ICI use. ICI-associated myocarditis usually occurs early after initiation and can be fulminant. A high index of suspicion is required for timely diagnosis. Prompt treatment with high-dose corticosteroids is shown to improve outcomes. Summary Although the overall incidence is rare, ICI cardiotoxicity, particularly myocarditis, is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, making it a major therapy-limiting adverse event. Early recognition and prompt treatment with the cessation of ICI therapy and initiation of high-dose corticosteroids are crucial to improve outcomes. Cardio-oncologists will need to play an important role not just in the management of acute cardiotoxicity but also to reduce the risk of long-term sequelae.

Purpose of review Contemporary anticancer immunotherapy, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, has changed the landscape of treatment for patients with a variety of malignancies who historically had a poor prognosis. However, both immune checkpoint inhibitors and CAR T cell therapy are associated with serious cardiovascular adverse effects. As immunotherapy evolves to include high-risk patients with preexisting cardiovascular risk factors and disease, the risk and relevance of its associated cardiotoxicity will be even higher. Recent findings ICI can cause myocarditis, which usually occurs early after initiation, can be fulminant, and prompt treatment with high-dose corticosteroids is crucial. CAR T cell therapy frequently leads to cytokine release syndrome, which is associated with cardiomyopathy or arrhythmia development and may also result in circulatory collapse. Supportive treatment, as well as tocilizumab, an anti-interleukin-6 receptor antibody, is the cornerstone of treatment. Recent findings suggest that preexisting cardiovascular risk factors and disease may increase the risk of such cardiotoxicity, and prompt recognition, as well as treatment, may favorably alter the outcomes. Summary ICI and CAR T cell therapy have improved cancer-related outcomes; however, they both are associated with potentially therapy-limiting cardiotoxicity. Cardio-oncologists are required to play an important role in patient selection, pretherapy cardiovascular optimization, and prompt recognition and treatment of cardiotoxicity.

Patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease and risk factors are more likely to experience adverse outcomes associated with the novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). Additionally, consistent reports of cardiac injury and de novo cardiac complications, including possible myocarditis, arrhythmia, and heart failure in patients without prior cardiovascular disease or significant risk factors, are emerging, possibly due to an accentuated host immune response and cytokine release syndrome. As the spread of the virus increases exponentially, many patients will require medical care either for COVID-19 related or traditional cardiovascular issues. While the COVID-19 pandemic is dominating the attention of the healthcare system, there is an unmet need for a standardized approach to deal with COVID-19 associated and other traditional cardiovascular issues during this period. We provide consensus guidance for the management of various cardiovascular conditions during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic with the goal of providing the best care to all patients and minimizing the risk of exposure to frontline healthcare workers.