Characteristics, Incidence, and Management of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Related Cardiovascular Adverse Events in Real-World Practice-A Retrospective Study in Chinese Han Population.

Purpose: This study aimed to elaborate on the incidence, clinical features, and management of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) related cardiovascular adverse events (CVAEs) in real-world practice.

Patients and methods: We performed a retrospective chart review study on patients receiving at least one dose of ICI therapy at a Chinese tertiary hospital from March 2020 to March 2021. CVAEs were identified through clinical assessment and the Naranjo algorithm. The management and outcomes of CVAEs were monitored over a median follow-up duration of 8 months.

Results: Among the included 203 patients, 4.4% (9/203) developed CVAEs, including heart failure (n = 3), arrhythmia (n = 2), myocarditis (n = 2), and pericardial disease (n = 2), with a proportion (6/9) tending to be severe (grade 3 or grade 4). CVAEs were more common in older patients (mean age: 73.6 ± 9.2 years) and those with hypertension (p = 0.02) or heart failure (p = 0.01). Adherence to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) guidelines for managing CVAEs was low (44%), with most cases showing partial resolution by the last follow-up.

Conclusion: We reported that the incidence of ICI-related CVAEs in the Chinese institution was higher than that in some prior studies. Adherence to guidelines for managing ICI-related CVAEs is found to be suboptimal in real-world practice and highlighted as a needed improvement.