Clinical profiles and outcomes of heart failure patients with cancer
B M Marino, B P Maglinte, F E R Punzalan, L E Galindez, C C UyAbstract
Background
Heart failure among cancer patients is still an emerging clinical challenge with significant clinical implications. Cardiovascular morbidity among this population can emanate from cancer therapeutics and/or traditional risk cardiovascular risk factors. This study aimed to illustrate this burden of disease by characterizing clinical profiles, treatment patterns, and outcomes of heart failure patients with concurrent cancer in a tertiary care setting.
Methods
A single-center retrospective descriptive study of patients admitted with heart failure and diagnosed cancer admitted to the Philippine General Hospital from January 2022 to December 2025 was done. Demographics, clinical presentation, etiology of heart failure, transthoracic echocardiogram, treatment, and outcomes were reviewed and analyzed.
Results
Among 44 heart failure patients with concomitant cancer, the mean age was 60.2 years (median 62 years), with a predominance of females (72.7%). Most patients presented with advanced heart failure, with 52.3% classified as NYHA Class III and 13.6% as NYHA Class IV. The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors was notable: 68.2% had uncontrolled hypertension, 31.8% had chronic kidney disease, 20.5% had diabetes mellitus, and 20.5% had ischemic heart disease. Infection was identified as a precipitating factor in 56.8% of cases. The overall mortality rate was 20.5% (9/40 patients with available outcome data). Other clinical characteristics included 36.4% active smokers, 22.7% with alcohol use, and 18.2% with dietary/fluid indiscretion as contributing factors.
Conclusion
Heart failure patients with concomitant cancer represent a high-risk population characterized by advanced functional impairment, multiple comorbidities, and significant mortality. The predominance of uncontrolled hypertension and high burden of infectious complications highlights critical targets for intervention in this vulnerable group. These findings underscore the need for multidisciplinary cardio-oncology care with aggressive risk factor management and infection prevention strategies to improve outcomes in cancer patients developing heart failure.