The added value of the HFA/ICOS score in the prediction of chemotherapy-related cardiac dysfunction in breast cancer

Background The 2022 ESC Guidelines on Cardio-Oncology recommend baseline cardiovascular risk stratification before starting anticancer drugs, using the new risk assessment tools proposed by the Heart Failure Association (HFA) and the International Cardio-Oncology Society (ICOS). Our study aimed to assess the clinical application of HFA/ICOS risk score in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and its usefulness in predicting the development of chemotherapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD). Methods A prospective multicentric study enrolled 109 breast cancer patients treated with anthracyclines with or without trastuzumab. A cardiological evaluation, including ECG and echocardiogram at baseline (T0), 3 (T1), 6 (T2), and 12 months (T3) after starting treatment was performed. HFA/ICOS score was assessed in all patients; the population was divided into low, medium, high, and very-high risk. During follow-up, CTRCD and other cardiovascular events have been evaluated. Results Sixty-one patients met low risk, 37 medium, nine high, two very-high risk criteria. We found a significantly higher incidence of overall cardiotoxicity (CTRCD and other cardiovascular events) in the very-high risk group (100%) compared with the medium (29%) and low risk groups (13%). CTRCD incidence was also significantly higher in the high risk group (55%). CTRCD resulted as being associated with baseline arterial hypertension and baseline HFA/ICOS risk score of high ( P = 0.006) or very-high ( P < 0.0001). Conclusion Our study confirms the HFA/ICOS score's ability to predict cardiovascular toxicity in breast cancer women and the need for close monitoring especially in high and very-high risk patients.