University researchers have introduced a pioneering tool to assess the risk of secondary heart attacks in cancer patients using artificial intelligence. This development, led by the University of Leicester, marks the first risk prediction model tailored to cancer patients who experience heart attacks.
Cancer patients face increased risks of death, bleeding, or further cardiovascular events due to their compromised cardiovascular systems. The ONCO-ACS tool integrates cancer-specific factors with standard clinical data to forecast the likelihood of death, major bleeding, or another cardiac event within six months. This innovation addresses a significant gap, as there was previously no standardised tool to guide treatment for this vulnerable group.
The study, published in The Lancet, analysed data from over one million heart attack patients across England, Sweden, and Switzerland, including more than 47,000 individuals with cancer. Dr Florian A. Wenzl, Honorary Fellow at the University of Leicester and lead author, highlighted the poor prognosis faced by cancer patients with heart attacks, noting that nearly one in three died within six months, with significant instances of major bleeding and recurrent heart attacks.
Professor David Adlam, from the University of Leicester’s Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, emphasised the growing overlap between cancer and heart disease, presenting challenges for cardiologists and oncologists. The ONCO-ACS score is expected to be integrated into clinical practice, aiding decisions on catheter-based treatment and antiplatelet therapy.
The ONCO-ACS tool not only aligns with clinical guidelines but also provides a foundation for future trials aimed at improving outcomes for this patient group. Professor Thomas F. Lüscher of the National Heart and Lung Institute at Imperial College London stated that the tool represents a move towards personalised medicine, accounting for both cancer and heart disease.
Funded by Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation, with support from Health Data Research UK’s Big Data for Complex Diseases Driver Programme, this study underscores the potential of AI in enhancing patient care.
