Recent Advances in the Use of Echocardiography in Cardio-Oncology

Purpose of reviewTo review recent data regarding the value of echocardiography in the assessment of patients receiving cancer therapy.Recent findingsFor the first time, echocardiography-based 3D left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) has been shown to be more accurate than 2D-LVEF for detection of cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD). Strain imaging has a novel role in the prognostication of patients with immune check point inhibitor myocarditis; however, strain-guided cardioprotective therapy does not appear to prevent a decrement in LVEF in anthracycline-treated patients. Myocardial work is a novel application of strain imaging that may have a limited role in assessment of CTRCD. 3D right ventricular (RV) ejection fraction, RV strain, and left atrial strain improve our understanding of the impact of cardiotoxic therapies on broader cardiac function.SummaryNovel echocardiographic methods improve the ability to recognize cardiac changes related to cancer therapy.