Clinical and functional features of dilated cardiomyopathy in cancer patients after covid-19 infection

Authors

  • Gulzada Nurgaliyeva Al-farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
  • Irina Volchkova Scientific and Educational Center of Surgery named after Professor G.V.Tsoi
  • Almagul Kauysheva National scientific center of phthisiopulmonology of the Republic of Kazakhstan
  • Sayakhat T Olzhayev Kazakh-Russian medical university, Almaty, Kazakhstan
  • Baurzhan Zh Adjibayev Kazakh-Russian medical university, Almaty, Kazakhstan
  • Karlygash N Tazhibayeva Al-farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
  • Ainur M Sadykova Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
  • Raikhan Muratbekova Al-farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
  • Mira Zhunissova Khoja Akhmet Yassawi International Kazakh-Turkish University, Turkistan, Kazakhstan
  • Barno T Kamelzhanova Al-farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
  • Assel D Sadykova National scientific center of phthisiopulmonology of the Republic of Kazakhstan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v25i2.88730

Keywords:

Dilated cardiomyopathy; COVID-19; cardio-oncology; heart failure; myocardial injury; long COVID; cardiotoxicity; cancer patients; inflammatory cardiomyopathy.

Abstract

Background Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) remains one of the leading causes of chronic heart failure worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly changed the clinical landscape of cardiovascular diseases, revealing new mechanisms of myocardial injury. Patients with cancer represent a particularly vulnerable group due to cardiotoxic anticancer therapies and immune dysfunction. The combined impact of oncological disease, cardiotoxic treatment and SARS-CoV-2 infection may lead to rapid progression of heart failure and unfavorable outcomes. Aim To analyze clinical and functional features of dilated cardiomyopathy in patients with oncological diseases after COVID-19 infection. Materials and Methods A narrative literature review and clinical case analysis were performed. Contemporary studies on post-COVID cardiovascular complications, inflammatory cardiomyopathy and cardio-oncology were analyzed. Particular attention was paid to mechanisms of myocardial injury and progression of heart failure in cancer patients after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results Recent evidence demonstrates that SARS-CoV-2 has a pronounced tropism for cardiomyocytes and vascular endothelium via ACE2 receptors. The main mechanisms of myocardial injury include direct viral cytotoxicity, cytokine storm, endothelial dysfunction, microvascular thrombosis and autoimmune inflammation. Long-term follow-up studies show a significantly increased risk of heart failure, arrhythmias and dilated cardiomyopathy after COVID-19. Cancer patients represent a high-risk population due to cardiotoxic chemotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors and radiation therapy. The risk of heart failure after COVID-19 in oncology patients increases by 2–3 times, while thromboembolic complications occur several times more frequently. The presented clinical case illustrates rapid progression of heart failure and fatal outcome in a patient with DCM after COVID-19 infection, consistent with the phenotype of post-COVID inflammatory cardiomyopathy. Conclusion SARS-CoV-2 infection should be considered an independent trigger of dilated cardiomyopathy progression. Cancer patients represent an extremely high-risk group due to synergistic myocardial injury caused by cardiotoxic therapy and post-COVID inflammatory mechanisms. Early cardiovascular risk stratification and multidisciplinary management are essential to improve outcomes in this patient population.

BJMS, Vol. 25 No. 02 April’26 Page: 633-638

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Published

2026-04-19

How to Cite

Nurgaliyeva, G., Volchkova, I., Kauysheva, A., Olzhayev, S. T., Adjibayev, B. Z., Tazhibayeva, K. N., … Sadykova, A. D. (2026). Clinical and functional features of dilated cardiomyopathy in cancer patients after covid-19 infection. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science, 25(2), 633–638. https://doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v25i2.88730

Issue

Vol. 25 No. 2 (2026)

Section

Original Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Gulzada Nurgaliyeva, Irina Volchkova, Almagul Kauysheva, Sayakhat T Olzhayev, Baurzhan Zh Adjibayev, Karlygash N Tazhibayeva, Ainur M Sadykova, Raikhan Muratbekova, Mira Zhunissova, Barno T Kamelzhanova, Assel D Sadykova

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