Cardio-oncology in Ukraine: experience at Strazhesko Institute of Cardiology

Anticancer therapies have extended the lives of patients with cancer, but for some, this benefit is tempered by cardiovascular complications. Their number is increasing as a result of an improvement in the early diagnosis of cardiotoxicity caused by chemo- and radiotherapy. Therefore prevention, detection, monitoring, and treatment of cancer patients at risk of cardiotoxicity with or without concomitant CV diseases are very important. Cardio-oncology is a new direction in Ukraine for improving clinical outcomes of cancer patients. This review aims to provide an overview of the rationale for setting up a Cardio-Oncology Unit and reflects our own experience establishing this service.