Anti-cancer treatment can be fraught with cardiovascular complications, which is the most common cause of death among oncological survivors. Without appropriate cardiomonitoring during anti-cancer treatment, it becomes challenging to detect early signs of cardiovascular complications. In order to achieve higher survival rates, it is necessary to monitor oncological patients outpatiently after anti-cancer treatment administration. In this regard, we aim to evaluate the efficacy of single-lead ECG remote monitoring to detect cardiotoxicity in cancer patients with minimal cardiovascular diseases after the first cycle of polychemotherapy. The study included patients 162 patients over 18 years old with first diagnosed different types of solid tumors, planed for adjuvant (within 8 weeks after surgery) or neoadjuvant polychemotherapy. All patients were monitored, outpatiently, during 14–21 days (depending on the regimen of polychemotherapy) after polychemotherapy administration using single-lead ECG. QTc > 500 mc prolongation was detected in 8 patients (6.6 %), first-diagnosed arial fibrillation was detected in 11 patients (9 %) in period after chemotherapy administration. Moreover, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction using single-lead ECG after polychemotherapy was detected in 49 (40.1 %) patients with sensitivity 80 %, specificity 95 %, AUC 0.88 (95 % CI, 0.82–0.93). The side effects of cancer treatment may cause life-threatening risks. Early identification of cardiotoxicity plays a vital role in the solution of this problem. Using portable devices to detect early cardiotoxicity is a simple, convenient and affordable screening method, that can be used for promptly observation of patients.

It would be useful to develop a reliable method for the cuffless measurement of blood pressure (BP), as such a method could be made available anytime and anywhere for the effective screening and monitoring of arterial hypertension. The purpose of this study is to evaluate blood pressure measurements through a CardioQVARK device in clinical practice in different patient groups. Methods: This study involved 167 patients aged 31 to 88 years (mean 64.2 ± 7.8 years) with normal blood pressure, high blood pressure, and compensated high blood pressure. During each session, three routine blood pressure measurements with intervals of 30 s were taken using a sphygmomanometer with an appropriate cuff size, and the mean value was selected for comparison. The measurements were carried out by two observers trained at the same time with a reference sphygmomanometer using a Y-shaped connector. In the minute following the last cuff-based measurements, an electrocardiogram (ECG) with an I-lead and a photoplethysmocardiogram were recorded simultaneously for 3 min with the CardioQVARK device. We compared the systolic and diastolic BP obtained from a cuff-based mercury sphygmomanometer and smartphone-case-based BP device: the CardioQVARK monitor. A statistical analysis plan was developed using the IEEE Standard for Wearable Cuffless Blood Pressure Devices. Bland–Altman plots were used to estimate the precision of cuffless measurements. Results: The mean difference between the values defined by CardioQVARK and the cuff-based sphygmomanometer for systolic blood pressure (SBP) was 0.31 ± 3.61, while that for diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was 0.44 ± 3.76. The mean absolute difference (MAD) for SBP was 3.44 ± 2.5 mm Hg, and that for DBP was 3.21 ± 2.82 mm Hg. In the subgroups, the smallest error (less than 3 mm Hg) was observed in the prehypertension group, with a slightly larger error (up to 4 mm Hg) found among patients with a normal blood pressure and stage 1 hypertension. The largest error was found in the stage 2 hypertension group (4–5.5 mm Hg). The largest error was 4.2 mm Hg in the high blood pressure group. We, therefore, did not record an error in excess of 7 mmHg, the upper boundary considered acceptable in the IEEE recommendations. We also did not reach a mean error of 5 mmHg, the upper boundary considered acceptable according to the very recent ESH recommendations. At the same time, in all groups of patients, the systolic blood pressure was determined with an error of less than 5 mm Hg in more than 80% of patients. While this study shows that the CardioQVARK device meets the standards of IEEE, the Bland–Altman analysis indicates that the cuffless measurement of diastolic blood pressure has significant bias. The difference was very small and unlikely to be of clinical relevance for the individual patient, but it may well have epidemiological relevance on a population level. Therefore, the CardioQVARK device, while being worthwhile for monitoring patients over time, may not be suitable for screening purposes. Cuffless blood pressure measurement devices are emerging as a convenient and tolerable alternative to cuff-based devices. However, there are several limitations to cuffless blood pressure measurement devices that should be considered. For instance, this study showed a high proportion of measurements with a measurement error of <5 mmHg, while detecting a small, although statistically significant, bias in the measurement of diastolic blood pressure. This suggests that this device may not be suitable for screening purposes. However, its value for monitoring BP over time is confirmed. Furthermore, and most importantly, the easy measurement method and the device portability (integrated in a smartphone) may increase the self-awareness of hypertensive patients and, potentially, lead to an improved adherence to their treatment. Conclusion: The cuffless blood pressure technology developed in this study was tested in accordance with the IEEE protocol and showed great precision in patient groups with different blood pressure ranges. This approach, therefore, has the potential to be applied in clinical practice.

Aim. To study the traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), indicators of endothelial function and exercise tolerance in patients received complex treatment for cranial and craniospinal tumors in childhood, including radiation therapy.Material and methods. We compared examination data of 48 patients who underwent treatment for brain tumors using cranial and craniospinal irradiation in childhood (mean age, 21,7±4,3 years, mean period after the end of treatment, 6,9±5,4 years), and 20 healthy volunteers. Examination methods included assessment of lipid profile, vascular stiffness and endothelial function using the Photoplethysmography and occlusion test, cardiopulmonary test, and in patients who underwent craniospinal irradiation, also echocardiography and duplex ultrasound of extracranial arteries.Results. Compared to healthy individuals, patients after a brain tumor were found to have lower blood pressure, higher heart rate (HR), significantly lower exercise performance (peak oxygen consumption, 19,8±6,4 ml×min-1×kg vs 30,3±5,8 ml×min-1×kg, p<0,0001) and a higher prevalence of dyslipidemia (56% vs 5%, p<0,0001), as well as an increase in the augmentation index, indicating higher stiffness of large vessels (-7,3±16,3 vs -20,3±7,9, p=0,001), and a trend towards a decrease in the occlusion index (p=0,051). Echocardiography and duplex ultrasound revealed no radiation-associated abnormalities.Conclusion. Determining the mechanisms and prognostic significance of the identified risk factors for CVD (dyslipidemia, decreased exercise tolerance, increased heart rate and vascular stiffness) in this category of patients requires further research. Regular monitoring of risk factors, primarily the lipid profile, and the use of preventive measures for individuals with an increased risk of CVD should be recommended.

Background: Endothelial dysfunction is recognized as one of the early markers of cardiovascular disorders. It is supposed to be a potential predictor of cardiovascular complications in patients receiving adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Aim: To estimate the prevalence of endothelial dysfunction in solid cancer patients compared to that in individuals without any malignancies. Materials and methods: This observational study included 74 patients with solid malignancies, mostly gastrointestinal. Prior to polychemotherapy, all patients were examined for endothelial function of small and large arteries (AngioScan-01, Fiton, Russia) and peripheral artery stiffness (pulse wave contour analysis and occlusion test). The results were compared with those of the Russian population trials of endothelial dysfunction – Meridian-RO (Ryazan region) and trial in the rural population of the Krasnodar region. Results: Compromised vasodilation and smaller arteries tone were found in 64.9% (48/74) of the cancer patients, while impaired vasodilation of larger muscular arteries was present in 94.6% (70/74) of the patients. According to the Meridian-RO trial in the Ryazan region, endothelial dysfunction had been found in 51.2% (n = 341) of women and 52.4% (n = 300) of men, whereas the Krasnodar regional population data had shown it in 68.4% (n = 353) of women and 71.7% (n = 253) of men. Conclusion: The prevalence of endothelial dysfunction in the patients with solid malignancies, who have not undergone any chemo- or radiation therapy, is significantly higher than in the population of comparable age, conventional cardiovascular risk factors, and comorbidities. No significant increase of vascular stiffness was identified.

The article provides an overview of the literature data on cardiovascular diseases in cancer survivors over the long term. Particular attention is paid to the adverse effects of radiation therapy. Clinical guidelines for cardiac risk stratification and monitoring of long-term cardiovascular complications of antitumor treatment are provided. A clinical case of a radiation-associated heart disease is presented.

State-of-the-art therapy improves the five-year survival rate of patients under the age of 20 with cranial and craniospinal tumors by up to 74%. The urgency of dealing effectively with late treatment-associated cardiovascular complications is rising. Objective: We aimed to assess echocardiographic parameters and exercise performance in subjects with a history of complex treatment for cranial and craniospinal tumors in childhood. Methods: the study of 48 subjects who underwent cranial and craniospinal irradiation for CNS tumors in childhood and 20 healthy age- and sex-matched volunteers was conducted. The examination included hormone studies, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and, in the main group, echocardiography (ECHO). Results: In five (10.4%) patients, ECHO changes were detected after complex anti-cancer treatment: thickening and calcification of the aortic valve leaflets (2%), and reduction in the systolic LV and RV function (8% and 6%, respectively). Irradiation of various areas was a significant predictor for reduced exercise tolerance, hyperventilation at rest and upon exertion, and an increased ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide. Low exercise tolerance was associated with a younger age at the time of treatment initiation. Significant differences were noted between the control group and the childhood cancer survivors with endocrine disorders. Conclusions: The obtained data confirm the importance of regular cardiovascular and endocrine monitoring of this group of cancer survivors.