AL type cardiac amyloidosis: a devastating fatal disease

A 2D-STI echocardiographic diagnostic model established for cardiac amyloidosis complicated with multiple myeloma

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of multiple myeloma(MM) with amyloidosis(AL) and evaluate the diagnostic utility of two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging(2D-STI) echocardiography in MM with cardiac amyloidosis(CA), with the goal of providing guidance for early screening and differentiation.

METHODS

Among 616 newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients, 359 met the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and divided into MM-AL and MM without AL according to the histopathological results. MM-AL patients were subdivided into MM-CA and MM without CA subgroups according to cardiac involvement criteria. Baseline characteristics and 2D-STI echocardiographic parameters were comparatively analyzed. Variables potentially predictive of MM-CA were identified through univariate analysis, with accuracy assessed by area under the curve (AUC). Variables were dichotomized using optimal cut-off values to construct a multivariate logistic regression model.

RESULTS

The initial symptoms of MM-AL were mainly bone pain and anemia, but the incidence of ostealgia was lower (45.7 %) and the prevalence of congestive heart failure (CHF) was higher (12.8 %) compared with MM without AL patients. No significant differences were observed in myocardial injury biomarkers, tumor burden, or t(11,14) translocation. MM-CA patients presented with 40.0 % severe heart failure (HF) NYHA class III-IV at diagnosis and experienced 33.3 % adverse cardiovascular events. An echocardiographic model incorporating left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF), pulmonary artery systolic pressure(PASP), hydropericardium, and global longitudinal strain (GLS) demonstrated the highest diagnostic accuracy for MM-CA, with an AUC of 0.90 (95 % CI, 0.81-1.00) (sensitivity: 95.6 %, specificity: 80.0 %, accuracy: 90.8 %).

CONCLUSION

There was no specific difference between the clinical manifestations and routine examinations of MM with or without AL patients. This study introduces a novel multi-parameter echocardiographic model for MM-CA diagnosis, providing a clinically valuable tool for early screening and differentiation.

Advances in the Diagnosis and Management of Cardiac Amyloidosis: A Literature Review

Cardiac amyloidosis, increasingly recognized for its significant impact on global heart health and patient survival, demands a thorough review to understand its complexity and the urgency of improved management strategies. As a cause of cardiomyopathy and heart failure, particularly in patients with aortic stenosis and atrial fibrillation, this condition also relates to higher incidences of dementia in the affected populations. The objective of this review was to integrate and discuss the latest advancements in diagnostics and therapeutics for cardiac amyloidosis, emphasizing the implications for patient prognosis. We evaluated the latest literature from major medical databases such as PubMed and Scopus, focusing on research from 2020 to 2024, to gather comprehensive insights into the current landscape of this condition. Insights from our review highlight the complex pathophysiology of cardiac amyloidosis and the diagnostic challenges it presents. We detail the effectiveness of emerging treatments, notably gene silencing therapies like patisiran and vutrisiran, which offer transformative potential by targeting the production of amyloidogenic proteins. Additionally, the stabilization therapy acoramidis shows promise in modifying disease progression and improving clinical outcomes. This review underscores the critical need for updated clinical guidelines and further research to expand access to groundbreaking therapies and enhance disease management. Advocating for continued research and policy support, we emphasize the importance of advancing diagnostic precision and treatment effectiveness, which are vital for improving patient outcomes and addressing this debilitating disease globally.

Light-Chain Amyloidosis: The Great Impostor

Light-chain amyloidosis (AL) is a disease of protean manifestations due to a wide spectrum of organs that can be affected. The disorder is caused by the deposition of an extracellular amorphous material, the amyloid, which is produced by malignant plasma cells. The latter usually reside in the bone marrow; plasma cell infiltration is often low, in sharp contrast to what we observe in multiple myeloma. The disease may run below the physician's radar for a while before clinical suspicion is raised and targeted tests are performed. In this short review, we try to answer most of the questions that a practicing physician may ask in a relative clinical setting. The text is formed as a series of reader-friendly questions that cover the subject of AL amyloidosis from history to current therapy.