Abstract
Background: Over the last years, there was no established cardio-oncology service in Iraq and no firm data about the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among patients with cancer. As an initial step, we decided to conduct a national cardio-oncology online survey for cardiologists, oncologists, and their residents which would help us to understand the expected prevalence, problems, and readiness for collaboration between the two specialties.Objectives: For evaluating the current national practice in the cardiology and oncology specialty fields and to identify the hidden gaps associated with the development or worsening of CVD among patients with cancer.Methods: An online survey including 19-question for cardiologists/cardiology residents (CCRs) and 30-question for oncologists/oncology residents (OORs) about cardio-oncology service was sent to them including all Iraqi cities using Google document form during December 2020.Results: The total number of responses was 164, mainly 62.2% from CCRs while 37.8% from OORs. Hypertension was the main baseline risk factor (71%). A 77.5% of CCRs prescribe cardiovascular drugs vs. 35.5% by OORs. About 76.5% of CCRs and 79% of OORs are facing difficulties in the management of patients with cancer with established CVD. CVD was the leading cause of both hospitalization (30.7%) and mortality (48.4%). About 62.8% of CCRs and 64.5% of OORs have an interest to work in cardio-oncology service.Conclusion: Based on the perception of cardiologists and oncologists, CVD is the main cause of hospitalization and mortality among patients with cancer. High interest among CCRs and OORs to work in cardio-oncology service. Positive initiatives are available to take the action plan in this emerging field.
Highlights
Cardio-oncology is an emerging specialty and service with a team-based approach that includes cardiologists, oncologists, and hematologists working collaboratively for optimizing cardiovascular risk stratification, prevention, and treatment for all patients with cancer and survivors to guide best practice by bridging the gaps in knowledge and needs including supporting patients with cancer to improve continuing of their cancer therapies without interruption by the cardiovascular disease (CVD) [1,2,3,4]
Hypertension (HTN) is the most common baseline CVD among patients with cancer according to the oncology residents (OORs) experiences (71%), while heart failure (HF) was the most common one as a result of the CCR responses (60.3%)
The majority of CCRs (86.3%) and OORs (85.5%) believe that the establishment of cardio-oncology services will improve the outcomes of patients
Summary
Cardio-oncology is an emerging specialty and service with a team-based approach that includes cardiologists, oncologists, and hematologists working collaboratively for optimizing cardiovascular risk stratification, prevention, and treatment for all patients with cancer and survivors to guide best practice by bridging the gaps in knowledge and needs including supporting patients with cancer to improve continuing of their cancer therapies without interruption by the cardiovascular disease (CVD) [1,2,3,4]. A descriptive study in the United Kingdom including data over 5-year activity from cardio-oncology service reported that baseline CVD and myocardial toxicity are higher than that was documented in previous studies [5]. This is why continuing national and international research in the cardiooncology field is of high importance for a better understanding of the current practice and optimization of cardio-oncology services. We decided to conduct a national cardio-oncology online survey for cardiologists, oncologists, and their residents which would help us to understand the expected prevalence, problems, and readiness for collaboration between the two specialties
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