Introduction:

Every year, nearly 300,000 children aged 0 to 19 are diagnosed with cancer worldwide. The percentage of survivors has increased significantly, reaching 80% in developed countries and 60% in Latin America. However, the life expectancy and quality of life of these individuals can be severely compromised in the face of the development of cardiotoxicity, an adverse effect associated with the use of antineoplastic agents such as anthracyclics.

Objective:

To highlight relevant clinical aspects for the prevention, timely detec tion, treatment and follow-up of cardiotoxicity secondary to the administration of anthracyclines during childhood.

Content synthesis:

Theoretical reflection that presents relevant clinical consider ations to guide the actions of nursing professionals and the interdisciplinary teams in charge of providing cardiovascular health care to cancer survivors at any age. We emphasize that the only effective primary prevention strategy for anthracycline car diotoxicity in the pediatric population is the administration of dexrazoxane, while secondary prevention should include timely detection, control, and follow-up of cardiac function alterations and cardiovascular risk factors, and tertiary prevention must be focused on disease control and pharmacological management.

Conclusions:

There is no standard treatment for chemotherapy or radiotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity, and the main objective of current treatment methods is to prevent, or delay, left ventricular remodeling. All survivors require life-long monitoring and an active search for signs of cardiotoxicity, where the joint action of different professionals and the consolidation of cardio-oncology services becomes essential.

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