Robert H. Eckel, MD, FAHA, FACC, FNLA, Author at Grand Rounds in Urology

Robert H. Eckel, MD, FAHA, FACC, FNLA

University of Colorado Denver

Aurora, Colorado

Robert H. Eckel, MD, FAHA, FACC, FNLA, is Professor Emeritus of Physiology and Biophysics, Charles A. Boettcher Endowed Chair in Atherosclerosis, and Professor of Medicine in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, Diabetes, and Cardiology
at the University of Colorado's Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado.

Dr. Eckel earned his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, and completed his residency in Internal Medicine at University of Wisconsin Hospitals in Madison, and fellowship in Metabolism and Endocrinology at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle.

His translational research has incorporated data from populations, human subjects in the Clinical Translational Research Center, genetically-modified mice and tissue culture to pursue mechanistic relationships between metabolic disorders such as obesity/metabolic syndrome/diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Dr. Eckel has more than 300 articles published in peer-reviewed journals including International Journal of Health Care, Diabetes, Metabolism, and American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. He is past president of the American Heart Association, Obesity Society, and Association of Patient Oriented Research. Dr. Eckel co-chaired the 2013 ACC/AHA Lifestyle Guideline for Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and was a member of the 2013 ACC/AHA Cholesterol Guideline Committee.

He is a member of the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications Observational Safety and Monitoring Board and is on the Board for the American Diabetes Association.

Talks by Robert H. Eckel, MD, FAHA, FACC, FNLA

Assessing and Managing Metabolic Risk in Patients with Prostate Cancer

Posted by Robert H. Eckel, MD, FAHA, FACC, FNLA | Aug 2024

Robert H. Eckel, MD, FAHA, FACC, FNLA, presents a high-level overview of the assessment of metabolic risk in patients with prostate cancer. He begins with a summary of the known metabolic risks associated with Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) in prostate cancer management.

Dr. Eckel then presents data on the changes in patient body composition which result from 12 weeks of ADT. He notes that while weight does not significantly change in patients being treated with ADT, he reviews the impact of changes in insulin resistance, waist circumference, and other factors which contribute to metabolic syndrome.

He concludes by examining racial disparities in those who develop metabolic syndrome after being treated with ADT for prostate cancer. He presents a short questionnaire that urologists can use to assess ongoing risk during ADT.

Cardiovascular Side Effects of ADT

Posted by Robert H. Eckel, MD, FAHA, FACC, FNLA | May 2024

Robert H. Eckel, MD, FAHA, FACC, FNLA, outlines common cardiovascular risks in prostate cancer patients on androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Dr. Eckel launches his talk by explaining the most common non-prostate cancer cause of death in men with metastatic prostate cancer is cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Dr. Eckel points out the potential molecular connections between CVD and prostate cancer. He illustrates tissue-specific effects in terms of adverse cardiovascular consequences of various ADTs.

Dr. Eckel displays data on adjusted hazard ratios of cardiovascular events in prostate cancer patients with and without ADT exposure and points out ADT increases risk of heart failure in men without preexisting CVD. He points out chemotherapy and immunotherapy are also associated with increased CVD risk and shares a science advisory on ADT and CVD risk, outlining factors to examine such as obesity, serum lipids, insulin sensitivity, blood pressure, waist-hip ratio, and C-reactive protein.

Dr. Eckel explains there is no formalized approach for identification or stratification of cardiovascular risk or tools to reduce risk. He describes a multidisciplinary panel tasked with considering the challenges in managing cardiovascular risk in men with prostate cancer on ADT.

Dr. Eckel summarizes the panel’s recommendation of an assessment tool that identifies CVD risks for men with prostate cancer, which can be exacerbated by treatment. He explains that urologic oncology providers comfortable managing CVD risk factors are empowered to do so and highlights the importance of communication and the “village” of providers (e.g. cardiologists, PCPs, etc.) who may be involved in comprehensive care. He emphasizes these risks are not static and reassessment and follow-up must be ongoing.