Results of active remote cardiac monitoring of oncohematological patients

BACKGROUND: Despite their targeted effects, targeted drug therapies also lead to adverse events, including various cardiac effects.

AIM: This study aims to determine the possibility of treating cardiovascular diseases underlying or occurring as a side effect of ibrutinib treatment without blocking targeted therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2016 to the present, we have examined and followed 217 patients with CLL who were continuously treated with ibrutinib targeted therapy for five years. The study included patients with CLL, aged 32 to 91 years [median age of 66.0 (32.0–91.0) years], including 136 men aged 66.0 (32.0–91.0) years and 81 women aged 65.0 (39.0–83.0) years. All patients underwent electrocardiography, echocardiography, 24-hour electrocardiographic Holter monitoring, 24-hour blood pressure monitoring, assessment of comorbidities using the Charlson Index, and screening for fragility using the G8 questionnaire.

RESULTS: Active cardiac monitoring, including continuous remote monitoring of cardioprotective therapy intake and efficiency, allows oncohematological patients to achieve higher overall survival rates. The long-term monitoring group included a statistically significant number of patients with atrial fibrillation and/or arterial hypertension and patients who receive dual and triple antithrombotic therapy. This group included patients with CLL and more severe cardiac status than other patients, who were regularly observed by a cardiologist.

CONCLUSIONS: Widespread introduction of the techniques for continuous remote monitoring of the oncological patient’s condition into clinical practice will improve the patients’ quality of life and increase their life expectancy.