Conditions we treat

The impact of certain cancer treatments, like radiation and chemotherapy, can lead to enduring cardiac challenges, such as:

• Arrhythmia: Managing irregular heart rhythms.
• Coronary Artery Disease and Peripheral Artery Disease: Addressing narrowed arteries supplying the heart and limbs.
• Valvular Heart Damage: Providing solutions for damaged heart valves.
• Heart Failure: Preserving and restoring heart muscle function.
• Blood Pressure Management: Controlling blood pressure fluctuations.
• Pericarditis: Addressing inflammation of the sac encasing the heart.

Advanced diagnosis and evaluation

For a comprehensive assessment of cardiac tumors, we partner with Memorial Hermann Health System to offer cutting-edge imaging technologies, including:

• Echocardiography: Leveraging 3-D imaging to provide a detailed ultrasound of the heart.
• Cardiac Computed Tomography (CT): Utilizing advanced X-ray technology to create detailed heart images.
• Cardiac MRI: Employing magnetic resonance imaging for high-resolution images of the heart and major blood vessels.
• Positron Emission Tomography (PET): Providing detailed 3D images of functional processes within the body.

Comprehensive cardiovascular care: Our range of services

We offer an extensive array of services designed to address your cardiovascular well-being throughout your cancer journey:

• Risk assessment preceding cancer treatment:
  Understanding your risk for developing cardiovascular issues is important before starting cancer treatment. Collaborating closely with your oncologist, we perform a comprehensive evaluation prior to initiating cancer treatment to minimize the potential cardiovascular complications. Our approach combines personalized assessments, relevant diagnostic testing, and optimal cardiovascular therapies, ensuring that your health remains a top priority.
• Care for cancer patients with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions:
  Effective management of cardiac conditions such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, heart valve ailments, and arrhythmias in cancer patients necessitates a tailored approach that aligns with their holistic care. Our aim is to address existing cardiac conditions, optimizing your health to better respond to cancer treatment. Utilizing advanced echocardiography techniques, we can detect early signs of heart dysfunction attributed to cancer therapy.
• Monitoring and mitigating cardiac complications from cancer therapy:
  Active or past chemotherapy and radiation therapy recipients may encounter symptoms linked to hypertension, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, valvular heart disease, pericardial disease, and arrhythmias. Recognizing these complications early and promptly administering treatments allows for successful management of chemotherapy and radiation-related cardiac concerns.
• Assessing long-term cardiac risk in cancer survivors:
  Research indicates that cancer survivors face elevated risks of cardiovascular disease. Our comprehensive risk assessment involves a detailed medical history, thorough physical examination, laboratory evaluations, and diagnostic testing. Strategies to mitigate cardiac risks encompass dietary and lifestyle modifications, complemented by suitable medical therapies when warranted.
• Advanced interventional cardio-oncology solutions:
  Interventional cardio-oncology focuses on the specialized treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD) and peripheral vascular disease (PVD) in cancer patients. Recognizing that these patients often have a distinct pathophysiology of plaque formation, our approach involves tailored interventional strategies. We utilize advanced intravascular imaging techniques, such as Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), to guide precise treatments and ensure optimal outcomes for this unique patient population.
• Evaluation of new chemotherapies:
  Numerous novel chemotherapeutic agents under clinical and pre-clinical scrutiny carry potential risks to heart health, referred to as cardiotoxicity. We implement advanced diagnostic tests to detect cardiotoxicities in patients undergoing treatments with these novel agents. Diagnostic approaches include imaging, noninvasive stress testing, serum biomarkers (blood tests revealing heart dysfunction), ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, and ambulatory cardiac telemetry for continuous remote heart monitoring. These proactive measures enable us to identify and formulate preventive strategies for cardiotoxicities.

Why choose UTHealth Houston’s Cardio-Oncology program?

Our expert team, state-of-the-art diagnostic capabilities, and comprehensive approach are tailored to address the unique needs of individuals on their cancer journey. We provide peace of mind by ensuring that your cardiovascular health is as well-tended as your fight against cancer.