Opportunistic imaging detects signs of heart disease in lung cancer patients
Imaging results from lung cancer patients may be able to effectively predict their risk of developing heart disease, according to new data to be presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Advancing the Cardiovascular Care of the Oncology Patient course.
The study’s authors evaluated computed tomography (CT) scans of 276 lung cancer patients for signs of atherosclerosis. The CT scans were originally performed as part of a comprehensive evaluation of their lung cancer.
Overall, 77.9% of participants had detectable atherosclerosis on their CT scan, 47.8% had systolic blood pressure of 130 mmHg or higher and 38% had a diastolic blood pressure of 80 mmHg or higher. In addition, 27.2% of patients were obese and 88.8% were either current or former tobacco users.
“The overall goal of the study was to determine the presence of traditional cardiac risk factors in this specific cancer population and to determine the usefulness of available CT imaging in the identification of atherosclerosis present at the time of cancer diagnosis,” lead author Christopher Malozzi, DO, director of cardio-oncology services at the University of South Alabama Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine, said in a statement. “Recognition of cardiac risk factors and atherosclerosis allows for earlier treatment interventions and risk factor modification in these patients.”
These findings show that opportunistic imaging could go a long way toward making more patients aware of the cardiovascular risks they face—all without requiring additional scans to be performed.
“The use of imaging already available may also reduce the need for additional testing in these patients and cut down overall health care costs,” Malozzi said.
The Advancing the Cardiovascular Care of the Oncology Patient course runs Feb. 14-16 at the Heart House in Washington, D.C. It was developed to help physicians find new, innovative ways to improve the cardiovascular care of cancer patients. Click here for additional information.
Michael has more than 18 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.