Arrhythmias, conduction disorders and sudden cardiac death in cancer patients and survivors: expert opinion of the working groups on cardio-oncology and on electrophysiology of the hellenic cardiac society

Abstract Advances in cancer therapeutics have significantly improved patient survival; however, cardiotoxic effects—including arrhythmias—have emerged as a growing clinical concern. This expert opinion, developed by the Working Groups on Cardio-Oncology and Electrophysiology of the Hellenic Cardiolo...

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Main Authors: Kalliopi Keramida, Ourania Kariki, Eleni Angelopoulou, Ioannis Kalafatis, Christos Lafaras, Konstantinos P. Letsas, Helena Michalopoulou, Athanasios Saplaouras, Konstantinos Tampakis, Dorothea Tsekoura, George Andrikopoulos
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:Cardio-Oncology
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40959-025-00363-0
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author Kalliopi Keramida
Ourania Kariki
Eleni Angelopoulou
Ioannis Kalafatis
Christos Lafaras
Konstantinos P. Letsas
Helena Michalopoulou
Athanasios Saplaouras
Konstantinos Tampakis
Dorothea Tsekoura
George Andrikopoulos
author_facet Kalliopi Keramida
Ourania Kariki
Eleni Angelopoulou
Ioannis Kalafatis
Christos Lafaras
Konstantinos P. Letsas
Helena Michalopoulou
Athanasios Saplaouras
Konstantinos Tampakis
Dorothea Tsekoura
George Andrikopoulos
author_sort Kalliopi Keramida
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Advances in cancer therapeutics have significantly improved patient survival; however, cardiotoxic effects—including arrhythmias—have emerged as a growing clinical concern. This expert opinion, developed by the Working Groups on Cardio-Oncology and Electrophysiology of the Hellenic Cardiological Society, aims to raise awareness of the increasing burden of arrhythmias in cancer patients and survivors. This document explores the multifactorial etiology of arrhythmias in this population, including patient-related factors, the direct effects of malignancy, and the arrhythmogenic potential of therapies such as classical chemotherapy, targeted agents, immunotherapy, hormonal treatments, and radiotherapy. Additionally, the often-overlooked contributors—such as autonomic dysfunction and drug–drug interactions— are discussed and emphasis is put on specific diagnostic and management challenges. It provides practical insights into the spectrum of arrhythmias and conduction disorders, including atrial fibrillation, QTc prolongation, and sudden cardiac death, while underscoring the importance of comprehensive cardiologic assessment throughout the cancer care continuum.
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series Cardio-Oncology
spelling doaj-art-89315c2b8eaa42c2b19215aba8ef534d2025-08-24T11:54:12ZengBMCCardio-Oncology2057-38042025-07-0111111910.1186/s40959-025-00363-0Arrhythmias, conduction disorders and sudden cardiac death in cancer patients and survivors: expert opinion of the working groups on cardio-oncology and on electrophysiology of the hellenic cardiac societyKalliopi Keramida0Ourania Kariki1Eleni Angelopoulou2Ioannis Kalafatis3Christos Lafaras4Konstantinos P. Letsas5Helena Michalopoulou6Athanasios Saplaouras7Konstantinos Tampakis8Dorothea Tsekoura9George Andrikopoulos10Department of Cardiology, General Anticancer Oncological Hospital, Agios SavvasArrhythmia Unit, Onassis Cardiac Surgery CenterDepartment of Cardiology, Hygeia HospitalCardiology-Oncology Department, Theagenion Cancer HospitalCardiology-Oncology Department, Theagenion Cancer HospitalArrhythmia Unit, Onassis Cardiac Surgery CenterDepartment of Cardiology, Laiko General Hospital of AthensArrhythmia Unit, Onassis Cardiac Surgery CenterDepartment of Electrophysiology and Pacing, Henry Dunant Hospital Center2nd Department of Surgery, Aretaieio University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of AthensDepartment of Electrophysiology and Pacing, Henry Dunant Hospital CenterAbstract Advances in cancer therapeutics have significantly improved patient survival; however, cardiotoxic effects—including arrhythmias—have emerged as a growing clinical concern. This expert opinion, developed by the Working Groups on Cardio-Oncology and Electrophysiology of the Hellenic Cardiological Society, aims to raise awareness of the increasing burden of arrhythmias in cancer patients and survivors. This document explores the multifactorial etiology of arrhythmias in this population, including patient-related factors, the direct effects of malignancy, and the arrhythmogenic potential of therapies such as classical chemotherapy, targeted agents, immunotherapy, hormonal treatments, and radiotherapy. Additionally, the often-overlooked contributors—such as autonomic dysfunction and drug–drug interactions— are discussed and emphasis is put on specific diagnostic and management challenges. It provides practical insights into the spectrum of arrhythmias and conduction disorders, including atrial fibrillation, QTc prolongation, and sudden cardiac death, while underscoring the importance of comprehensive cardiologic assessment throughout the cancer care continuum.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40959-025-00363-0
spellingShingle Kalliopi Keramida
Ourania Kariki
Eleni Angelopoulou
Ioannis Kalafatis
Christos Lafaras
Konstantinos P. Letsas
Helena Michalopoulou
Athanasios Saplaouras
Konstantinos Tampakis
Dorothea Tsekoura
George Andrikopoulos
Arrhythmias, conduction disorders and sudden cardiac death in cancer patients and survivors: expert opinion of the working groups on cardio-oncology and on electrophysiology of the hellenic cardiac society
Cardio-Oncology
title Arrhythmias, conduction disorders and sudden cardiac death in cancer patients and survivors: expert opinion of the working groups on cardio-oncology and on electrophysiology of the hellenic cardiac society
title_full Arrhythmias, conduction disorders and sudden cardiac death in cancer patients and survivors: expert opinion of the working groups on cardio-oncology and on electrophysiology of the hellenic cardiac society
title_fullStr Arrhythmias, conduction disorders and sudden cardiac death in cancer patients and survivors: expert opinion of the working groups on cardio-oncology and on electrophysiology of the hellenic cardiac society
title_full_unstemmed Arrhythmias, conduction disorders and sudden cardiac death in cancer patients and survivors: expert opinion of the working groups on cardio-oncology and on electrophysiology of the hellenic cardiac society
title_short Arrhythmias, conduction disorders and sudden cardiac death in cancer patients and survivors: expert opinion of the working groups on cardio-oncology and on electrophysiology of the hellenic cardiac society
title_sort arrhythmias conduction disorders and sudden cardiac death in cancer patients and survivors expert opinion of the working groups on cardio oncology and on electrophysiology of the hellenic cardiac society
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40959-025-00363-0
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