In recent years, there has been growing interest in the cardio-oncology worldwide. With the growth in cardiovascular and cancer burden, there is a greater need for cardio-oncology awareness among physicians, as well as surgeons managing this unique group of patients. On the one hand cancer surgery continues to play a major part not only in improving cancer outcomes but also in reducing the impact of cancer treatments on quality of life. On the other hand, pre-existing cardiovascular diseases, cardiovascular risk factors, previous therapies, and growing patient age are associated with an increasing risk for and may aggravate cardiac complications following cancer surgery in the perioperative period. During the past few decades, there have been significant advancements in perioperative risk stratification procedures and efforts to decrease the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients undergoing cancer surgery. Myocardial perfusion imaging with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT MPI) is widely available, most extensively validated, and well recognized as a useful imaging methodology for the prediction of MACE in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). We investigated the prognostic role of  SPECT MPI for preoperative stress-induced ischemia in over 120 cancer patients with known or suspected CAD. The results of contemporary myocardial perfusion scintigraphy performed with exercise or pharmacological stress in combination with 99mTc-sestamibi provided important prognostic information for the risk of MACE and enabled management to be targeted to high-risk patient groups, including subsequent invasive coronary angiography performing and/or shift to other types of cancer therapy (i.e. chemotherapy, radiation therapy).

Flora Chanakhchyan is Currently the head of the emission-computed tomography department. Work as a nuclear medicine specialist and practicing general cardiologist. Adept at building positive relationships with patients by delivering compassionate care. Have expertise in the management of patients with heart diseases, as well as myocardial scintigraphy, SPECT MPI, and cardiac stress tests. Interest in research was developed while studying at the State Medical University aft. M. Heratsi in Yerevan, Armenia. Then completed the fellowship in Cardiology at the Cardiology National Research Institute of Armenia. The PhD degree in Medicine was obtained at Pirogov’s National Medical Surgical Center in Moscow.  Have worked together with a multidisciplinary team of clinicians and scientists for years. During this time built up my research and publication profile, especially in Nuclear Cardiology. The new field of interest has become Cardio-Oncology. The current research refers to the perioperative management of patients with cardiovascular diseases undergoing cancer therapy. When not at the workplace enjoy spending time in the fitness center, riding a horse, or visiting different exhibitions.