The Cardio-Oncology Program at the University of Louisville is collaboration between University of Louisville Cardiovascular Medicine and the UofL Health - Brown Cancer Center. This unique, subspecialized program is led by a team of cardiologists, oncologists and researchers who specialize in the coordinated care of oncology patients and survivors with cardiovascular disease or cardiac risk factors.

The Cardiology-Oncology Program is the only one of its kind in Kentucky. One of the main goals of the program is to identify patients with cancer who may be at an increased risk for chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity.

High risk factors can include:

• High blood pressure
• Elevated cholesterol
• Overweight
• Smoking History
• Metabolic syndrome
• Heart rhythm abnormalities
• Coronary artery disease / heart attack
• Heart valve complications
• Family history of heart disease

Through innovative techniques such as strain echocardiography, cardiac MRI, angiography, nuclear imaging, and cardiac biomarkers we identify high risk patient and work to minimize potential cardiotoxicity.

Through the use of cardioprotective medications and close monitoring, patients can keep receiving necessary chemotherapeutic agents while minimizing their risk for developing heart disease.

The Cardio-Oncology program also focuses on cancer survivors with modifiable risk factors or pre-existing cardiac disease. The goal is to provide comprehensive care focused on maintenance or prevention of cardiovascular disease with incorporation of healthy lifestyle factors and medical treatment. The Cardio-Oncology program works closely with survivorship programs and cancer rehabilitation specialist to return survivors to a high quality of life