Optimal treatment strategies for coronary heart disease in cancer patients: a complex clinical case

Abstract

Coronary heart disease (CHD) remains a leading cause of mortality among cancer patients, primarily due to shared risk factors and the impacts of chemotherapeutic drugs, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and radiotherapy. Determining the optimal treatment strategy remains a challenging issue for patients with concurrent CHD and malignant neoplasms. In high-risk patients, managing CHD frequently takes precedence over addressing the oncologic disease. Myocardial revascularization, coupled with optimal medical therapy for CHD, can significantly enhance patient survival by reducing the risks of myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death. However, selecting a surgical treatment strategy requires careful consideration of the indications, the complexity of coronary lesions, the risk of bleeding and thrombosis, and the overall prognosis of the malignancy. This clinical case demonstrates the importance of risk-benefit assessment, multidisciplinary discussion of cure strategy, and application of novel technologies to provide the most personalized and effective treatment.

Keywords

• Coronary heart disease
• cancer
• myocardial revascularization