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Pozzan M, Indennidate C, Varrà GG, Sinagra G, Merlo M, Pagura L. Amyloidosis and Amyloidogenesis: One Name, Many Diseases. Heart Fail Clin 2024; 20:249-260. [PMID: 38844296 DOI: 10.1016/j.hfc.2024.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Amyloidosis is a heterogenous group of disorders, caused by the deposition of insoluble fibrils derived from misfolded proteins in the extracellular space of various organs. These proteins have an unstable structure that causes them to misfold, aggregate, and deposit as amyloid fibrils with the pathognomonic histologic property of green birefringence when viewed under cross-polarized light after staining with Congo red. Amyloid fibrils are insoluble and degradation-resistant; resistance to catabolism results in progressive tissue amyloid accumulation. The outcome of this process is organ disfunction independently from the type of deposited protein, however there can be organ that are specifically targeted from certain proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Pozzan
- Cardiovascular Department, Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cardiomyopathies, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano-Isontina (ASUGI) and University of Trieste, Low Prevalence and Complex Diseases of the Heart-ERN GUARD-Heart, Via P. Valdoni 7, Trieste 34100, Italy
| | - Carla Indennidate
- Cardiovascular Department, Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cardiomyopathies, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano-Isontina (ASUGI) and University of Trieste, Low Prevalence and Complex Diseases of the Heart-ERN GUARD-Heart, Via P. Valdoni 7, Trieste 34100, Italy
| | - Guerino Giuseppe Varrà
- Cardiovascular Department, Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cardiomyopathies, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano-Isontina (ASUGI) and University of Trieste, Low Prevalence and Complex Diseases of the Heart-ERN GUARD-Heart, Via P. Valdoni 7, Trieste 34100, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Sinagra
- Cardiovascular Department, Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cardiomyopathies, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano-Isontina (ASUGI) and University of Trieste, Low Prevalence and Complex Diseases of the Heart-ERN GUARD-Heart, Via P. Valdoni 7, Trieste 34100, Italy
| | - Marco Merlo
- Cardiovascular Department, Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cardiomyopathies, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano-Isontina (ASUGI) and University of Trieste, Low Prevalence and Complex Diseases of the Heart-ERN GUARD-Heart, Via P. Valdoni 7, Trieste 34100, Italy; European Reference Network for Rare Low Prevalence and Complex Diseases of the Heart-ERN GUARD Heart Via P. Valdoni 7 Trieste 34100, Italy.
| | - Linda Pagura
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, Cardiovascular Department, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano-Isontina (ASUGI) and University of Trieste, Via P. Valdoni 7, Trieste 34100, Italy
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2
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Yancy CW. Heart Failure in African American Individuals, Version 2.0. JAMA 2024; 331:1807-1808. [PMID: 38734951 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2024.5217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Clyde W Yancy
- Division of Cardiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
- Deputy Editor, JAMA Cardiology
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3
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Pelaez-Aguilar AE, Mata-Salgado F, Morales-Ortiz A, Millán-Pacheco C, Olvera-Carranza C, Salgado-Delgado J, Pastor N, Rivillas-Acevedo L. Cu(II) binding to the λ6aJL2-R24G antibody light chain protein associated with light chain amyloidosis disease: The role of histidines. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 270:132393. [PMID: 38761898 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Light chain amyloidosis is a conformational disease caused by the abnormal proliferation and deposition of antibody light chains as amyloid fibers in organs and tissues. The effect of Cu(II) binding to the model recombinant protein 6aJL2-R24G was previously characterized in our group, and we found an acceleration of the aggregation kinetics of the protein. In this study, in order to confirm the Cu(II) binding sites, histidine variants of 6aJL2-R24G were prepared and the effects of their interaction with Cu(II) were analyzed by circular dichroism, fluorescence spectroscopy, isothermal calorimetry titrations, and molecular dynamics simulations. Confirming our earlier work, we found that His8 and His99 are the highest affinity Cu(II) binding sites, and that Cu(II) binding to both sites is a cooperative event.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel E Pelaez-Aguilar
- Departamento de Microbiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Fernanda Mata-Salgado
- Centro de Investigación en Dinámica Celular-IICBA, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62209, Mexico
| | - Alan Morales-Ortiz
- Centro de Investigación en Dinámica Celular-IICBA, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62209, Mexico
| | - César Millán-Pacheco
- Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62209, Mexico
| | - Clarita Olvera-Carranza
- Departamento de Ingeniería Celular y Biocatálisis, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 2001, Col. Chamilpa, 62210 Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Jesus Salgado-Delgado
- Departamento de Ingeniería Celular y Biocatálisis, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 2001, Col. Chamilpa, 62210 Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Nina Pastor
- Centro de Investigación en Dinámica Celular-IICBA, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62209, Mexico.
| | - Lina Rivillas-Acevedo
- Centro de Investigación en Dinámica Celular-IICBA, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62209, Mexico.
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Saro R, Pavan D, Porcari A, Sinagra G, Mojoli M. Lights and Shadows of Clinical Applications of Cardiac Scintigraphy with Bone Tracers in Suspected Amyloidosis. J Clin Med 2023; 12:7605. [PMID: 38137674 PMCID: PMC10743682 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12247605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Radionuclide bone scintigraphy is the cornerstone of an imaging-based algorithm for accurate non-invasive diagnosis of transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA). In patients with heart failure and suggestive echocardiographic and/or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging findings, the positive predictive value of Perugini grade 2 or 3 myocardial uptake on a radionuclide bone scan approaches 100% for the diagnosis of ATTR-CA as long as there is no biochemical evidence of a clonal dyscrasia. The technetium-labelled tracers that are currently validated for non-invasive diagnosis of ATTR-CA include pyrophosphate (99mTc-PYP); hydroxymethylene diphosphonate (99mTc-HMDP); and 3,3-diphosphono-1,2-propanodicarboxylate (99mTc-DPD). Although nuclear scintigraphy has transformed the contemporary diagnostic approach to ATTR-CA, a number of grey areas remains, including the mechanism for binding tracers to the infiltrated heart, differences in the kinetics and distribution of these radiotracers, differences in protocols of image acquisition worldwide, the clinical significance of extra-cardiac uptake, and the use of this technique for prognostic stratification, monitoring disease progression and assessing the response to disease-modifying treatments. This review will deal with the most relevant unmet needs and clinical questions concerning scintigraphy with bone tracers in ATTR-CA, providing expert opinions on possible future developments in the clinical application of these radiotracers in order to offer practical information for the interpretation of nuclear images by physicians involved in the care of patients with this ATTR-CA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Saro
- Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cardiomyopathies, Cardiovascular Department, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano-Isontina (ASUGI), University of Trieste, Via P. Valdoni 7, 34100 Trieste, Italy; (R.S.); (A.P.); (G.S.)
- European Reference Network for Rare, Low Prevalence and Complex Diseases of the Heart-ERN GUARD-Heart, Giuliano Isontina University Health Authority, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Daniela Pavan
- Ospedale Santa Maria degli Angeli, Azienda Ospedaliera Friuli Occidentale (ASFO), 33170 Pordenone, Italy;
| | - Aldostefano Porcari
- Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cardiomyopathies, Cardiovascular Department, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano-Isontina (ASUGI), University of Trieste, Via P. Valdoni 7, 34100 Trieste, Italy; (R.S.); (A.P.); (G.S.)
- European Reference Network for Rare, Low Prevalence and Complex Diseases of the Heart-ERN GUARD-Heart, Giuliano Isontina University Health Authority, 34149 Trieste, Italy
- National Amyloidosis Centre, Division of Medicine, University College London, Royal Free Campus, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Gianfranco Sinagra
- Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cardiomyopathies, Cardiovascular Department, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano-Isontina (ASUGI), University of Trieste, Via P. Valdoni 7, 34100 Trieste, Italy; (R.S.); (A.P.); (G.S.)
- European Reference Network for Rare, Low Prevalence and Complex Diseases of the Heart-ERN GUARD-Heart, Giuliano Isontina University Health Authority, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Marco Mojoli
- Ospedale Santa Maria degli Angeli, Azienda Ospedaliera Friuli Occidentale (ASFO), 33170 Pordenone, Italy;
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Treglia G, Martinello C, Dondi F, Albano D, Bertagna F, Rizzo A, Delgado Bolton RC, Tersalvi G, Muoio B, Riegger M, Cecchin D. Prevalence of Incidental Findings Suspicious for Transthyretin Cardiac Amyloidosis among Patients Undergoing Bone Scintigraphy: A Systematic Review and a Meta-Analysis. J Clin Med 2023; 12:5698. [PMID: 37685765 PMCID: PMC10488435 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12175698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The myocardial uptake of bone-seeking tracers suspicious for transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA) can be incidentally detected in patients undergoing bone scintigraphy for noncardiac reasons. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the prevalence of these scintigraphic findings. METHODS A comprehensive literature search was performed using two bibliographic databases (PubMed/MEDLINE and Cochrane Library), searching for articles related to the review question. Eligible articles were selected, and relevant data were extracted by two authors. The pooled prevalence of incidental findings suspicious for ATTR-CA among patients undergoing bone scintigraphy was calculated on a per-patient-based analysis using a random-effects model. The pooled measure was provided with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) values. RESULTS Among 219 records, 11 articles were selected for the systematic review and 10 for the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of incidental findings suspicious for ATTR-CA was 1.1% (95% CI: 0.7-1.4%) with heterogeneity due to the characteristics of the included studies, patients, and index tests. These findings are more prevalent in older men. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of incidental findings of ATTR-CA among patients undergoing bone scintigraphy is low but not negligible. Nuclear medicine physicians should suggest, in the scintigraphic report, further clinical investigations when these findings are detected. Prospective studies are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Treglia
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Imaging Institute of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, 6501 Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Francesco Dondi
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Università degli Studi di Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Domenico Albano
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Università degli Studi di Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Francesco Bertagna
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Università degli Studi di Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Alessio Rizzo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Candiolo Cancer Institute, 10060 Turin, Italy
| | - Roberto C. Delgado Bolton
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging (Radiology) and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital San Pedro and Centre for Biomedical Research of La Rioja (CIBIR), 26006 Logroño, Spain
- Servicio Cántabro de Salud, 39011 Santander, Spain
| | - Gregorio Tersalvi
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiocentro Ticino Institute, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, 6850 Mendrisio, Switzerland
| | - Barbara Muoio
- Division of Medical Oncology, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, 6501 Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Martin Riegger
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
- Division of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Department of Surgery, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Diego Cecchin
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), Padova University Hospital, 35128 Padua, Italy
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Morfino P, Aimo A, Vergaro G, Sanguinetti C, Castiglione V, Franzini M, Perrone MA, Emdin M. Transthyretin Stabilizers and Seeding Inhibitors as Therapies for Amyloid Transthyretin Cardiomyopathy. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15041129. [PMID: 37111614 PMCID: PMC10143494 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15041129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Transthyretin (TTR) amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is a progressive and increasingly recognized cause of heart failure which is associated with high mortality and morbidity. ATTR-CM is characterized by the misfolding of TTR monomers and their deposition within the myocardium as amyloid fibrils. The standard of care for ATTR-CM consists of TTR-stabilizing ligands, such as tafamidis, which aim at maintaining the native structure of TTR tetramers, thus preventing amyloid aggregation. However, their efficacy in advanced-staged disease and after long-term treatment is still a source of concern, suggesting the existence of other pathogenetic factors. Indeed, pre-formed fibrils present in the tissue can further accelerate amyloid aggregation in a self-propagating process known as “amyloid seeding”. The inhibition of amyloidogenesis through TTR stabilizers combined with anti-seeding peptides may represent a novel strategy with additional benefits over current therapies. Finally, the role of stabilizing ligands needs to be reassessed in view of the promising results derived from trials which have evaluated alternative strategies, such as TTR silencers and immunological amyloid disruptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Morfino
- Interdisciplinary Center for Health Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Alberto Aimo
- Interdisciplinary Center for Health Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, 56127 Pisa, Italy
- Cardiology Division, Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Vergaro
- Interdisciplinary Center for Health Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, 56127 Pisa, Italy
- Cardiology Division, Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Sanguinetti
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Castiglione
- Interdisciplinary Center for Health Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, 56127 Pisa, Italy
- Cardiology Division, Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Franzini
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Alfonso Perrone
- Division of Cardiology and CardioLab, Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Michele Emdin
- Interdisciplinary Center for Health Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, 56127 Pisa, Italy
- Cardiology Division, Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, 56124 Pisa, Italy
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Machine Learning Approaches in Diagnosis, Prognosis and Treatment Selection of Cardiac Amyloidosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065680. [PMID: 36982754 PMCID: PMC10051237 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiac amyloidosis is an uncommon restrictive cardiomyopathy featuring an unregulated amyloid protein deposition that impairs organic function. Early cardiac amyloidosis diagnosis is generally delayed by indistinguishable clinical findings of more frequent hypertrophic diseases. Furthermore, amyloidosis is divided into various groups, according to a generally accepted taxonomy, based on the proteins that make up the amyloid deposits; a careful differentiation between the various forms of amyloidosis is necessary to undertake an adequate therapeutic treatment. Thus, cardiac amyloidosis is thought to be underdiagnosed, which delays necessary therapeutic procedures, diminishing quality of life and impairing clinical prognosis. The diagnostic work-up for cardiac amyloidosis begins with the identification of clinical features, electrocardiographic and imaging findings suggestive or compatible with cardiac amyloidosis, and often requires the histological demonstration of amyloid deposition. One approach to overcome the difficulty of an early diagnosis is the use of automated diagnostic algorithms. Machine learning enables the automatic extraction of salient information from “raw data” without the need for pre-processing methods based on the a priori knowledge of the human operator. This review attempts to assess the various diagnostic approaches and artificial intelligence computational techniques in the detection of cardiac amyloidosis.
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Abdelghany M, Abdelhamid M, Allam A, El Etriby A, Hafez S, Ragy H, Sobhy M. Detection and Diagnosis of Cardiac Amyloidosis in Egypt. Cardiol Ther 2023; 12:197-213. [PMID: 36611101 PMCID: PMC9986164 DOI: 10.1007/s40119-022-00299-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiac amyloidosis is a life-threatening disease that occurs when amyloid proteins, most commonly immunoglobulin light chain or transthyretin, mutate or become unstable, misfold, deposit as amyloid fibrils, and accumulate in the myocardium. Early diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis is hindered by insufficient awareness, specifically regarding clinical red flags and diagnostic pathways. Cardiac amyloidosis diagnosis comprises two important phases, clinical suspicion (phase one) followed by definitive diagnosis (phase two). Each phase is associated with specific clinical techniques. For example, clinical features, electrocardiography, echocardiography, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging serve to raise suspicion of cardiac amyloidosis and facilitate early diagnosis, whereas laboratory tests (i.e., blood or urine electrophoresis with immunofixation), biopsy, scintigraphy-based nuclear imaging, and genetic testing provide a definitive diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis. In Egypt, both the lack of cardiac amyloidosis awareness amongst healthcare providers and the unavailability of clinical expertise for the use of diagnostic techniques must be overcome to improve the prognosis of cardiac amyloidosis in the region. Previously published diagnostic algorithms for cardiac amyloidosis have amalgamated techniques that can raise clinical suspicions of cardiac amyloidosis with those that definitively diagnose cardiac amyloidosis. Though such algorithms have been successful in developed countries, diagnostic tools like echocardiography, scintigraphy, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging are not ubiquitously available across Egyptian facilities. This review presents the current state of knowledge regarding cardiac amyloidosis in Egypt and outlines a new diagnostic algorithm which leverages regional nuclear imaging expertise. Importantly, the proposed diagnostic algorithm guides accurate amyloid-typing to mitigate misdiagnosis and erroneous treatment selection and improve the cardiac amyloidosis diagnostic accuracy in Egypt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Abdelghany
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Magdy Abdelhamid
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Adel Allam
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Adel El Etriby
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Hany Ragy
- National Heart Institute, Giza, Egypt.
| | - Mohamed Sobhy
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
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Kwok CS, Moody WE. The importance of pathways to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment of patients with cardiac amyloidosis. Ther Adv Cardiovasc Dis 2023; 17:17539447231216318. [PMID: 38099406 PMCID: PMC10725150 DOI: 10.1177/17539447231216318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is a condition caused by extracellular deposition of amyloid fibrils in the heart. It is an underdiagnosed disease entity which can present with a variety of cardiac and non-cardiac manifestations. Diagnosis usually follows an initial suspicion based on clinical evaluation or imaging findings before confirmation with subsequent imaging (echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, 3,3-diphosphono-1,2-propanodicarboxylic acid scintigraphy) in combination with biochemical screening for monoclonal dyscrasia (serum free light chains and serum and urine electrophoresis) and/or histology (bone marrow trephine, fat or endomyocardial biopsy). More than 95% of CA can be classified as either amyloid light-chain (AL) CA or amyloid transthyretin (ATTR) CA; these two conditions have very different management strategies. AL-CA, which may be associated with multiple myeloma, can be managed with chemotherapy agents, autologous stem cell transplantation, cardiac transplant and supportive therapies. For ATTR-CA, there is increasing importance in making an early diagnosis because of novel treatments in development, which have transformed this once incurable disease to a potentially treatable disease. Timely diagnosis is crucial as there may only be a small window of opportunity where patients can benefit from treatment beyond which therapies may be less effective. Reviewing the existing patient pathway provides a basis to better understand the complexities of real-world activities which may be important to help reduce missed opportunities related to diagnosis and treatment for patients with CA. With healthcare provider interest in improving the care of patients with CA, the development of an optimal care pathway for the condition may help reduce delays in diagnosis and treatment and thus enhance patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Shing Kwok
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, Newcastle Rd, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 6QG, UK
| | - William E. Moody
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospitals of Birmingham NHS Trust, Birmingham, UK
- Chun Shing Kwok is now affiliated to Department of Cardiology, University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, Stoke-on-Trent, UK
- William E. Moody is also affiliated to University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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