Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Cardio-Oncology: Real-World Evidence of Benefit in Cancer Patients with Heart Failure

Introduction

Heart failure (HF) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among patients with cancer. The incidence of HF in this high-risk population is increasing, partly due to the cardiotoxic effects associated with contemporary cancer therapies. Despite substantial advances in oncological treatments and the growing number of cancer survivors, HF remains a major determinant of adverse clinical outcomes.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an established treatment that improves symptoms and reduces mortality in patients with chronic HF. However, patients with a history of cancer have been frequently excluded or underrepresented in pivotal CRT trials, resulting in a significant evidence gap regarding the efficacy and safety of CRT in this population. Concerns related to comorbidities, cancer prognosis, and procedural risk may further contribute to the underutilization of CRT in clinical practice.

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