Adverse effects of anemia on cardiovascular comorbidities and thrombosis in hemato-oncological patients

Abstract: Summary There are multiple associations between cancer and anemia. The pathophysiology of anemia in cancer patients is multifactorial - from the anemia of chronic disease, associated bleeding and iron deficiency or the anemia of chronic kidney disease in some patients, to myelotoxicity of the disease and myelotoxicity of anti-tumor therapy. Chronic anemia increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, and worsens the treatment outcomes of patients who already have cardiovascular comorbidities. Patients with hemato-oncological diseases may already have associated cardiovascular comorbidities or develop them during the hemato-oncological treatment, especially since the drugs with possible cardiotoxic side effects are used in the treatment of hematological and solid tumors. Anemia can have a prothrombogenic effect, and the association between thrombosis and malignant diseases is well known. It is necessary to bear in mind the mentioned adverse effects of the anemia on cardiovascular comorbidities in hemato-oncology patients and treat the anemia in these patients accordingly.

Key words:
anemia; cancer; cardiovascular diseases