Machine learning-based prediction of cardiovascular adverse events in patients with cancer: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION Cardiovascular (CV) adverse events are increasingly recognized in patients with cancer. Previous reviews of AI/ML have focused on single cancer types, imaging-based data, and lacked evaluation of methodological rigor. This systematic review synthesized AI/ML models developed to predict CV adverse events from patient-level clinical data across diverse cancer populations.

Methods

This review followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. PubMed and Web of Science were searched through 26 October 2025. Study characteristics, model development, and handling of features and missing data were extracted. Study quality was assessed using the IJMEDI checklist.

Results

Of 32 included studies, 18 compared multiple algorithms and 14 used a single algorithm. Random forest and XGBoost were the most common methods (n = 17, respectively), and XGBoost was most often the best-performing model in multi-algorithm studies, although substantial study heterogeneity precludes concluding general algorithmic superiority. Common limitations were unreported missing data handling (n = 17), limited external validation (n = 8), and rare calibration assessment (n = 4). Most studies were rated medium quality (n = 28).

Conclusions

AI/ML models show promise for predicting CV adverse events in patients with cancer; however, clinical applicability is constrained by insufficient preprocessing transparency, limited external validation, and inadequate calibration reporting.