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Cardiologist consultation infrequent for women with breast cancer, CVDs
Only about one-third of older women with breast cancer saw a cardiologist within 90 days of developing CV issues such as HF or cardiomyopathy, according to a report presented at the American Heart Association’s Quality of Care and Outcomes Research Scientific Sessions.
“The majority of older women who develop heart problems after their breast cancer therapy aren’t treated by a cardiologist, and they had lower quality of care,” Jersey Chen, MD, MPH, research scientist and cardiologist at Kaiser Permanente in Rockville, Md., said in a press release. “This suggests that this is an important area for oncologists and cardiologists to collaborate.”
Chen and colleagues used a Medicare-linked database to identify 8,400 women older than 65 years with breast cancer who received anthracyclines or trastuzumab (Herceptin, Genentech). The researchers analyzed the patients’ consultations and office visits with cardiologists within 90 days of developing HF or cardiomyopathy and used Medicare Part D pharmacy claims to assess differences in use of guideline-recommended treatments such as ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers and beta-blockers.
Overall, 1,028 (12%) women with breast cancer developed HF or cardiomyopathy within 3 years of their cancer diagnosis. Only 345 (34%) of these women saw a cardiologist within 90 days of their heart diagnosis.
Women with HF after cancer treatment were more likely to receive treatment with standard medications if seen by a cardiologist vs. those who did not see a cardiologist, according to the release. Sixty percent of women who saw a cardiologist received ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers vs. 44% who did not see a cardiologist. For beta-blockers, 40% of women who saw a cardiologist received treatment vs. 24% who did not see a cardiologist.
“The bottom line is, if you have breast cancer and you’re treated with anthracyclines or trastuzumab, you should know they have side effects,” Chen stated in the release. “Many cancer patients who develop heart failure or cardiomyopathy aren’t getting the necessary medications, regardless of whether they’re seen by cardiologists.”
For more information:
Chen J. Abstract 280. Presented at: American Heart Association Quality of Care and Outcomes Research Scientific Sessions; June 2-4, 2014; Baltimore.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.