COVID-19 and Cardiovascular Health Among Patients with Cancer

Palaskas, Nicolas L.; Koutroumpakis, Efstratios; Deswal, Anita

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), continues to spread with rising new cases and deaths. Patients with cancer represent a uniquely vulnerable population not only with higher susceptibility to COVID-19 but also at increased risk for its complications. This review focuses on the implications of COVID-19 in the cardiovascular health of patients with cancer. RECENT FINDINGS: Patients more susceptible to COVID-19 with increased severity of disease include those with cancer and cardiovascular comorbidities. In addition, the cardiovascular complications of COVID-19 including acute myocardial injury, thromboembolism, cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, and pericardial disease overlap with many of those encountered during cancer treatment. SUMMARY: Despite the absence of large studies of patients with both cancer and cardiovascular disease, the incidence of cardiovascular complications in cancer patients with COVID-19 is expected to be high. This has implications for cardiac monitoring, chemotherapy administration, and the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease during COVID-19.