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Cardiovascular Complications of Anticancer Therapy in Pashtun Ethnicity

. Muhammad Hasnain, Mohsin Raziq, Maria Ashfaq, Farhan Ullah, Aimun Zeb Khan, Nimra Nimmi, Zulqarnain, Mohsin Khan, Asif Ali, Bilal Muhammad, Syed Abdullah Shah & Asma Nafees


Abstract

Cancer treatment has evolved significantly over the years, leading to improved survival rates for many cancer patients. However, this progress has brought about a new concern - the cardiovascular complications associated with anticancer therapy. This project delves into the intricate relationship between cancer treatments and adverse cardiovascular effects, shedding light on the complexity of this emerging issue. The primary focus of this study is on the two major pillars of cancer treatment: chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity and radiation-related heart issues. Chemotherapy agents, such as anthracyclines and tyrosine kinase inhibitors, have shown a propensity to cause damage to the myocardium, leading to heart failure and reduced cardiac function. Similarly, radiation therapy, while crucial in eradicating cancerous cells, can inadvertently affect the heart, resulting in conditions like radiation-induced coronary artery disease and pericardial disease.

 

Our study  identified effective chemotherapeutic drugs that can treat cancer cells,  meanwhile can also cause cardiovascular complications. The complications can be of any type such as; angina, cardiomyopathy, heart ischemia, hypotension, bradycardia, tachyarrhythmia, myocarditis, cardiotoxicity, cardial blood vessel damage, thromboembolism, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, decreased left ventricular ejection fraction, ventricular fibrillation, fast heartbeat, shortness of breath, acute coronary syndrome and myocarditis.  It was noted that majorly all the drugs prescribed to individual linked directly or indirectly with the complications related to heart but there were 28.5% complication observed. About 13.5% individual had SPOless than 89% .The 36.5% individual had tachycardia while 1% had bradycardia. 37% individual were  obese and 13% had diagnosed DM. 12.5% had sedentary lifestyle. All these parameter had correlation with the cardiac complications. First of all cardiosafe chemotherapeutic drugs should be prescribed and there should be keen observation while finding surface area because small variation in body surface area will directly  alter the recommended dose which immediately cause cardiac complications, so complete concentration is necessary for estimating dosage.. It is highly recommended that minimum effective dose should be prescribe while treating who had diagnosed cancer in both chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In conclusion, the growing concern of cardiovascular complications associated with anticancer therapy necessitates proper review and monitoring using the integrated multidisciplinary patient                care            approaches.

 

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