Current landscape of paediatric and young adult cardio-oncology care in Latin America.

BACKGROUND

Survivors of childhood cancer face an increased lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease related to cancer therapies. While paediatric and adolescent cancer cardio-oncology programmes have expanded in high-income settings, their implementation across Latin America remains poorly characterised.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the current landscape of paediatric and adolescent cardio-oncology care in Latin America, focusing on workforce training, clinical infrastructure, diagnostic resources, follow-up strategies, and research capacity.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional survey of healthcare professionals involved in the care of paediatric and adolescent oncology patients across Latin America. The questionnaire assessed institutional resources, availability of specialised cardio-oncology services, diagnostic modalities, cardioprotective strategies, survivorship follow-up, and training and research activities. Descriptive analyses were performed.

RESULTS

A total of 177 complete surveys were analysed. Most respondents worked in public, tertiary-level institutions. Only 16.4% reported access to cardiologists with formal cardio-oncology training, and 26.0% had a structured cardio-oncology team. While baseline cardiac evaluation was widely performed (77.4%), advanced diagnostic tools such as myocardial strain imaging (35.0%) and cardiac magnetic resonance (22.0%) were infrequently available. Formal long-term cardiovascular follow-up programmes for cancer survivors were present in only 13.6% of institutions, and structured transition to adult cardiology care in 22.0%. Participation in multicentre research and formal training programmes was limited.

CONCLUSIONS

Paediatric and adolescent cardio-oncology care in Latin America is characterised by substantial heterogeneity and limited formal infrastructure. These findings highlight critical gaps and underscore the need for regional implementation strategies to improve cardiovascular care across the cancer survivorship continuum.