Preserving Heart Function While Surviving Cancer a cancer diagnosis and corresponding treatment can be overwhelming. The primary goal is to fight the cancer. And while cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy are well-aware of some unpleasant side effects, a lesser-known side effect of certain chemotherapy drugs is that they may be cardiotoxic—meaning the drugs may cause damage to the heart muscle. Some patients who receive potentially cardiotoxic therapies may be susceptible to cardiac involvement. In these cases, the heart may not be able to perform properly and maintain the health of the body. How advanced technology at NCH is protecting the hearts of cancer patients
Bill Shirkey, Director of Cardiac Imaging, along with Dr. Shona Velamakanni, Medical Director of the Echocardiog- raphy Lab at NCH Healthcare System, utilize advanced imaging technologies to assess patients for potential cardiotoxicity. Shirkey became interested in forming a cardio-oncology collaboration and adding advanced technologies to NCH after his friend’s son developed ter- minal congestive heart failure following treatment with car- diotoxic chemotherapy. The NCH echo lab uses 3-D echocardiography and a state-of-
the-art measurement known as Global Longitudinal Strain to gauge the health of the heart—specifically, how well the left ventricle of the heart con- tracts and relaxes. Patients receive a baseline study, and all follow-up echos are performed at regular intervals as determined by the patients’ oncologist. Based on findings, the oncologist may modify the patient’s chemotherapy regimen and
33 APRIL - JUNE 2019 NAPLES HEALTH
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