CARDIO-ONCOLOGY
In the last years relevant improvements have been achieved in cancer therapy with significant increase in overall survival. Simultaneously, there is growing evidence of increase cardiovascular side effects, associated not only with traditional therapy (such as anthracyclines or thoracic radiotherapy) but also with the new molecular target drugs. The occurrence of left ventricular dysfunction, hypertension, cardiac ischemia and arrhythmias in cancer survivors is a matter of concern, especially considering that there are more than 20 million surviving patients in Europe and USA. The development of cardiac injury during cancer treatment leads to discontinuance of effective and potentially curative drugs, compromising cancer prognosis.
The main goal of the Cardio-Oncology Unit is to develop knowledge to determine pretreatment risk, as well as serial measures of cardiovascular integrity during and in follow-up of cancer therapy. These assessments will allow a better understanding of individual risk (age, comorbidities, genetic susceptibility) and a better patient management concerning drug and radiation dose, predict response to cancer therapy, and develop effective prevention of cardiotoxicity.
RESEARCH TEAM
Fiúza, Manuela, MD, PhD
GROUP LEADER
Manuela Fiúza attended the Lisbon School of Medicine, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal and graduated in 1981. She did the fellowship of cardiology at Santa Maria Hospital – CHULN EPE, Lisbon and graduated in 1991. She has been working at the Department of Cardiology of Santa Maria Hospital – CHULN EPE, Lisbon where presently coordinates the cardiology outpatient clinic and is responsible for the cardio-oncology program. She is also a senior cardiologist at echocardiography laboratory.
In 2000, received her Ph.D. from Lisbon School of Medicine, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal. While holding a position as Professor of Cardiology, has coordinated several pre- and post- graduated projects and was rewarded with several awards for scientific research. She is a member of several scientific societies and is fellow of the European Society of Cardiology.
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-7742-6195
E-mail: mfiuza@medicina.ulisboa.pt
Nobre de Menezes, Miguel, MD, PhD
Researcher
Miguel Menezes completed his medical degree in 2010. He undertook his general internship in 2011, followed by a cardiology residency between 2012 and 2017 at the Cardiology Department of Santa Maria Hospital – CHULN, E.P.E., Lisbon. Since then, he has been working as a Cardiology Specialist in the same department.
His main fields of interest are Interventional Cardiology and Cardio-Oncology. He also teaches cardiology (theoretical and practical classes) at the Lisbon School of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Portugal.
Miguel Menezes has participated in over 20 research projects, resulting in more than 20 published papers, 11 of which as first author. He was awarded the Delta Award in Ischemic Cardiomyopathy in 2017 and the Young Investigator Award in Clinical Research at the Portuguese Congress of Cardiology in 2014. He has also co-authored an additional five research projects that received awards.
ORCID: 0000-0001-8363-0363
E-mail: mnmenezes.gm@gmail.com
Co-Researcher in Structural and Coronary Heart Disease
Magalhães, Andreia, MD
Researcher
Andreia Magalhães graduated from the Lisbon School of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Portugal, in 2008. She completed her Cardiology training at Santa Maria University Hospital – CHULN, E.P.E. (Lisbon, Portugal), where she has been working as an Assistant Cardiologist since 2015. She holds a postgraduate diploma in Heart Failure from the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology and the University of Zurich.
She has been a researcher at the Cardiovascular Centre of the University of Lisbon (CCUL) since 2010 and is also an Invited Assistant in Cardiology at the Lisbon School of Medicine, University of Lisbon.
Areas of interest: Cardio-Oncology, Heart Failure, and Implantable Cardiac Devices.
ORCID: 0000-0002-4638-990X
E-mail: andreiaspm@gmail.com
Co-Researcher in Cardiac Rhythm Abnormalities
Costa Pereira, Paula, BSc
Clinical Research Technician
Paula Costa obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Cardiopneumology from the School of Health Technologies of Lisbon (1992–1995), and later completed an advanced degree in Cardiopneumology at the School of Technologies of Coimbra in Lisbon (2001–2002).
She has been working in the Heart and Vascular Department of Santa Maria Hospital – CHULN, E.P.E., Lisbon, as part of the Cardiopneumology team since 1995. She is currently assigned to the Cardiology Outpatient Clinic, where she is directly involved in performing echocardiograms.
Paula also collaborates in research protocols, clinical trials, and professional internships conducted within the department.
ORCID: 0000-0002-4520-8513
E-mail: paula.pereira33@gmail.com