Atrial Fibrillation and Cancer: Bidirectional Relationship and Potential for Personalized Care

Abstract

A bidirectional relationship between cancer and atrial fibrillation (AF) is well known. Although systemic inflammation and the effects of cancer treatment significantly increase the risk of AF in patients with cancer, new-onset AF has also been shown to independently predict the risk of active malignancy. With a continued growth in our understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of AF and with the advent of novel anticancer agents with unique cardiotoxic effects, there is a need to study if the management of AF in patients with cancer requires a more “personalized” approach rather than a generalized approach. The current review focuses on the application of “precision cardio-oncology” to the screening, diagnosis, and management of AF in patients with cancer through biomarkers, cardiac imaging, and personalized risk stratification. Through this review, we highlight the growing need to incorporate personalized interventions into clinical studies and analyze the feasibility of integrating these into the routine care of patients with cancer.