Cardiovascular Care for Cancer Patients
Cardio-Oncology in Brisbane
Cardio-oncology is a sub-specialty focused on the cardiovascular care of patients before, during, and after cancer treatment. Many cancer therapies, including certain chemotherapies, targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and radiation, can affect the heart in ways that may not always be apparent. Cardio-oncology aims to identify and manage these effects early, facilitating and supporting optimal cancer treatment and outcomes while safeguarding long-term cardiovascular health.
Dr. Jonathan Sen is a specialist cardiologist and cardio-oncologist practising in Brisbane. He brings extensive training and clinical experience in this highly specialised field, offering coordinated cardiac care for patients at every stage of their cancer journey, from pre-treatment risk assessment through active cancer therapy to long-term survivorship.
Training and Experience
Dr. Sen completed a post-doctoral fellowship in cardio-oncology at the University Health Network in Toronto, one of the world’s leading cancer centres. During this fellowship, he gained intensive, hands-on experience managing cardiovascular complications across a diverse range of cancer types, including breast cancer, lung cancer, haematological malignancies, and many more. This breadth of experience enables Dr. Sen to understand the unique cardiovascular challenges faced by patients receiving different types of cancer therapy.
Dr. Sen’s commitment to advancing cardio-oncology extends beyond clinical practice into research. He has contributed to peer-reviewed publications on risk prediction in cardio-oncology, the management of cardiac complications from immune checkpoint inhibitors, and whole-heart changes during cancer therapy, work that directly informs his approach to patient care.
Clinical Exposure
Approximately 1,000 inpatient and outpatient consultations during fellowship
Experience across multiple oncology services including breast, lung, thymoma, allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for non-malignant and malignant haematological conditions (e.g. leukaemia, lymphoma), and many more.
Cancer Therapy-Related Cardiovascular Complications
Cancer treatments are increasingly effective, but some can have unintended effects on the cardiovascular system. Dr. Sen is experienced in identifying and managing a wide range of cancer therapy-related cardiovascular complications, including:
Anthracycline-related cardiac effects – Anthracyclines (such as doxorubicin) are powerful chemotherapy agents that can, in some cases, weaken the heart muscle. Dr. Sen provides pre-exposure cardiac optimisation, ongoing surveillance during treatment, and structured follow-up to detect any early signs of heart dysfunction.
HER2-targeted therapy monitoring – Therapies targeting HER2 (such as trastuzumab) can occasionally affect heart function. Dr. Sen conducts serial cardiac monitoring during treatment to ensure any changes are detected promptly and managed appropriately.
Immune checkpoint inhibitor cardiovascular toxicity – Immune checkpoint inhibitors (such as Pembrolizumab) have transformed cancer treatment, but can cause significant cardiac inflammation, including myocarditis. Recognising and managing these complications requires specialised expertise, and Dr. Sen’s published research in this area (See blog post summarizing paper published in Canadian Journal of Cardiology, 2026) reflects his depth of experience in managing elevated troponin and other cardiac concerns in patients receiving these therapies.
Radiation-related heart disease – Radiation therapy to the chest can, over time, affect the heart valves, coronary arteries, and pericardium. Dr. Sen provides long-term surveillance for patients who have received thoracic radiation, helping to detect and manage late cardiac effects.
Arrhythmias related to cancer therapy – Some cancer treatments can trigger irregular heart rhythms. Dr. Sen evaluates and manages these arrhythmias, ensuring they do not interfere with ongoing cancer treatment.
Vascular complications – Certain therapies can affect blood vessels, increasing the risk of clots, vasospasm, or other vascular issues. Dr. Sen works with oncology teams to monitor and address these concerns.
Phases of Care:
1
Pre-treatment assessment
Before cancer therapy begins, Dr. Sen performs a comprehensive cardiovascular risk evaluation. This baseline assessment includes a review of your cardiac history, risk factors, and any existing heart conditions, along with baseline cardiac imaging where appropriate. Identifying patients at higher risk before treatment allows for proactive measures to protect the heart, such as optimising blood pressure, managing pre-existing heart disease, or selecting cardioprotective strategies, ensuring you are in the best possible cardiovascular health before starting cancer therapy.
2
During treatment monitoring
Throughout cancer treatment, Dr. Sen provides ongoing surveillance and early detection of any cardiac changes. This may involve serial echocardiograms, blood tests, and clinical assessments timed to coincide with key stages of your cancer therapy. The goal is to catch any cardiovascular effects at the earliest possible stage, enabling timely intervention that minimises disruption to your cancer treatment.
3
Post-treatment care
Cancer survivors face unique cardiovascular risks, particularly those who received cardiotoxic therapies. Dr. Sen provides structured post-treatment care focused on optimising long-term cardiovascular health for cancer survivors. This includes ongoing monitoring, risk factor management, and coordination with your primary care team to ensure that any late-emerging cardiac effects are identified and addressed.
Cardiac Imaging in Cardio-Oncology
Advanced cardiac imaging is central to effective cardio-oncology practice. Dr Sen has training in the judicious use of multimodality cardiac imaging, including:
Speckle tracking (strain) echocardiography: A highly sensitive technique that can detect subtle declines in heart function before they become apparent on standard measures. Dr. Sen’s research in improving the accuracy of global longitudinal strain (GLS) measurement, published in leading cardiology journals, underscores his commitment to using the most precise imaging techniques available.
3D echocardiography: Providing detailed, volumetric assessment of heart structure and function.
Cardiac MRI (including T1/T2 mapping): Offering comprehensive tissue characterisation to detect inflammation, fibrosis, or oedema in the heart muscle.
Cardiac CT: Used for coronary artery assessment and, in certain cardio-oncology contexts, for evaluating structural changes in cancer patients.
These imaging tools are employed selectively for surveillance and diagnosis, ensuring that each patient receives the most appropriate and informative cardiac assessment at every stage of their care.
Research and Publications
Dr. Sen is actively involved in cardio-oncology research, contributing to the growing body of evidence that guides clinical practice. His published and/or presented work includes:
Risk Prediction in Cardio-Oncology: Conceptual and Methodological Considerations
A JACC: CardioOncology State-of-the-Art Review co-authored by Dr. Sen and colleagues, examining how clinicians and researchers can better predict which patients are most at risk of cancer therapy-related cardiac complications. Read the full article in JACC: CardioOncology, 2026;8(2):101-119.
Managing an Elevated Troponin in a Patient on Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
Published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology (2026), this paper provides practical guidance for clinicians encountering cardiac biomarker elevations in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Whole Heart Changes During Cancer Therapy and Its Potential Relevance in Women with Breast Cancer
Published in the Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography (2025;38(11):1052-1063), this study explores how cancer therapy affects the entire heart, not just individual chambers, and what this means for cardiac surveillance.
Enhancing Global Longitudinal Strain Accuracy
Dr. Sen and colleagues investigated whether structured training could improve clinicians’ accuracy in measuring GLS, a key marker of early cardiac dysfunction during cancer therapy. They found that trained clinicians outperformed fully automated AI measurements, with benefits persisting for at least one year. An associated presentation is also available on ESC365.
His ongoing research ensures that Dr. Sen’s clinical practice is informed by the latest evidence and advances in cardio-oncology, benefiting every patient under his care.
Why Choose Dr. Sen for Cardio-Oncology Care?
Few cardiologists in Australia hold the level of specialised training and experience in cardio-oncology that Dr. Sen offers. His fellowship at one of the world’s premier cancer centres, combined with an active research portfolio and a deep commitment to patient-centred care, places him in a unique position to support patients navigating the intersection of cancer and heart disease. If you are undergoing cancer treatment or are a cancer survivor concerned about your cardiovascular health, contact the clinic today to arrange a consultation.