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Achten A, van Empel VPM, Weerts J, Mourmans S, Beckers-Wesche F, Spanjers M, Gingele A, Brunner-La Rocca HP, Sanders-van Wijk S, Knackstedt C. Changes in the diagnostic trajectory of transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis over six years. Heart Vessels 2024:10.1007/s00380-024-02408-3. [PMID: 38710807 DOI: 10.1007/s00380-024-02408-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Awareness of transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) has increased over the years due to diagnostic and therapeutic developments. Timely initiation of novel disease-modifying treatments improves both morbidity and mortality, which underlines the necessity for a prompt diagnosis. Nevertheless, early diagnosis of ATTR-CM remains challenging. This is a retrospective observational cohort study of patients diagnosed with ATTR-CM. Between 2016 and 2023, 87 patients were diagnosed with cardiac amyloidosis of which 65 (75%) patients with ATTR-CM and 22 (25%) patients with light chain amyloidosis. This study included 65 ATTR-CM patients (mean age 77 ± 7 years; 86% male) of whom 59 (91%) with wild-type ATTR-CM (ATTRwt) and six (9%) with variant ATTR-CM. We observed a surge in ATTR-CM diagnoses from 3 patients/year (2016-2020) to 16 patients/year (2021-2023), driven by ATTRwt. Nevertheless, the interval between the onset of heart failure symptoms and ATTR-CM diagnosis has not changed significantly (2016-2020 27.3 months [18.6-62.4]; 2021-2023 30.0 months [8.6-57.2]; p = 0.546), driven by time to referral. Red flags for ATTR-CM preceded diagnosis by several years: left ventricular hypertrophy (79%, 5.8 years [3.3-7.0]) and carpal tunnel syndrome (49%, 6.8 years [2.3-12.1]). Despite the presence of typical red flags, symptom-to-diagnosis duration has remained similar driven by time to referral. Improved recognition of red flags for ATTR-CM could reduce the time to diagnosis and improve overall recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anouk Achten
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+), PO Box 5800, 6202, AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
- Department of Cardiology, Zuyderland Medical Centre, Heerlen, The Netherlands.
| | - Vanessa P M van Empel
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+), PO Box 5800, 6202, AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Jerremy Weerts
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+), PO Box 5800, 6202, AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Sanne Mourmans
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+), PO Box 5800, 6202, AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Fabienne Beckers-Wesche
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+), PO Box 5800, 6202, AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Mireille Spanjers
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+), PO Box 5800, 6202, AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Arno Gingele
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+), PO Box 5800, 6202, AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Hans-Peter Brunner-La Rocca
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+), PO Box 5800, 6202, AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Christian Knackstedt
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+), PO Box 5800, 6202, AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Meucci MC, Lillo R, Mango F, Marsilia M, Iannaccone G, Tusa F, Luigetti M, Biagini E, Massetti M, Lanza GA, Lombardo A, Graziani F. Left atrial structural and functional remodelling in Fabry disease and cardiac amyloidosis: A comparative analysis. Int J Cardiol 2024; 402:131891. [PMID: 38382852 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2024.131891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fabry disease (FD) and transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (TTR CA) are cardiomyopathies with hypertrophic phenotype that share several features, including left atrial (LA) enlargement and dysfunction, but direct comparative data are lacking. Aim of the present study was to perform a comparative analysis of LA remodelling between the two diseases. METHODS AND RESULTS In this prospective study, a total of 114 patients (31 FD and 83 TTR CA) were included; all of them had left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), defined as left ventricular (LV) wall thickness ≥ 12 mm. Despite similar degree of LVH, patients with TTR CA showed worse LV systolic and diastolic function. LA maximal volume index was not significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.084), while patients with TTR CA showed larger LA minimal volume index (p = 0.001). Moreover, all phases of LA mechanics were more impaired in the TTR CA group vs FD (reservoir: 6.9[4.2-15.5] vs 19.0[15.5-29.5], p < 0.001). After excluding patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), these differences remained clearly significant. In multivariable regression analyses, LA reservoir strain showed an independent correlation with TTR CA, controlling for demographic characteristics, AF and LV systolic and diastolic performance (p ≤ 0.001), whereas LV global longitudinal strain did not. Finally, among echocardiographic parameters, LA function demonstrated the highest accuracy in discriminating the two diseases. CONCLUSIONS TTR CA is characterized by a more advanced LA structural and functional remodelling in comparison to patients with FD and similar degree of LVH. The association between TTR CA and LA dysfunction remains consistent after adjustment for potential confounders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Chiara Meucci
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A, Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosa Lillo
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A, Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Department of Cardiovascular and Pneumological Sciences, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Mango
- Department of Cardiovascular and Pneumological Sciences, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Mario Marsilia
- Department of Cardiovascular and Pneumological Sciences, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Iannaccone
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A, Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Department of Cardiovascular and Pneumological Sciences, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Filippo Tusa
- Department of Cardiovascular and Pneumological Sciences, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Luigetti
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, UOC Neurologia, Rome, Italy; Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Biagini
- Cardiology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Italy
| | - Massimo Massetti
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A, Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Department of Cardiovascular and Pneumological Sciences, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Gaetano Antonio Lanza
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A, Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Department of Cardiovascular and Pneumological Sciences, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Lombardo
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A, Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Department of Cardiovascular and Pneumological Sciences, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Graziani
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A, Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
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3
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Muller SA, Calkins H, Gasperetti A. Combining electrocardiographic and echocardiographic indexes to detect cardiac amyloidosis: A step forward in the quest to diagnose cardiac amyloidosis without delay. Eur J Intern Med 2024; 122:45-46. [PMID: 38368202 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejim.2024.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Steven A Muller
- Division of Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, US; Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands; Netherlands Heart Institute, Utrecht, Moreelsepark 1, 3511 EP Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Hugh Calkins
- Division of Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, US
| | - Alessio Gasperetti
- Division of Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, US.
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4
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Pagura L, Porcari A, Cameli M, Biagini E, Canepa M, Crotti L, Imazio M, Forleo C, Pavasini R, Limongelli G, Perlini S, Metra M, Boriani G, Emdin M, Sinagra G, Merlo M. ECG/echo indexes in the diagnostic approach to amyloid cardiomyopathy: A head-to-head comparison from the AC-TIVE study. Eur J Intern Med 2024; 122:68-77. [PMID: 37858441 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejim.2023.09.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The discordance between QRS voltages on electrocardiogram (ECG) and left ventricle (LV) wall thickness (LVWT) on echocardiogram (echo) is a recognized red flag (RF) of amyloid cardiomyopathy (AC) and can be measured by specific indexes. No head-to-head comparison of different ECG/echo indexes among subjects with echocardiographic suspicion of AC has yet been undertaken. The study aimed at evaluating the performance and the incremental diagnostic value of different ECG/echo indexes in this subset of patients. METHODS Electrocardiograms of subjects with LV hypertrophy, preserved ejection fraction and ≥ 1 echocardiographic RF of AC participating in the AC-TIVE study, an Italian prospective multicenter study, were independently analyzed by two cardiologists. Low QRS voltages and 8 different ECG/echo indexes were evaluated. Cohort specific cut-offs were computed. RESULTS Among 170 patients, 55 (32 %) were diagnosed with AC. Combination of low QRS voltages with interventricular septum ≥ 1,6 cm was the most specific (specificity 100 %, positive predictive value 100 %) ECG/echo index, while the ratio between the sum of all QRS voltages and LVWT <7,8 was the most sensitive and accurate (sensitivity 94 %, negative predictive value 97 %, accuracy 82 %). When the latter index was added to a model using easily-accessible clinical variables, the diagnostic accuracy for AC greatly increased (AUC from 0,84 to 0,95; p = 0,007). CONCLUSIONS Among patients with non-dilated hypertrophic ventricles with normal ejection fraction and echocardiographic RF of AC, easily-measurable ECG/echo indexes, mainly when added to few clinical variables, can help the physician orient second level investigations. External validation of the results is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Pagura
- Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cardiomyopathies, Cardiovascular Department, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano-Isontina (ASUGI) and University of Trieste, Via P. Valdoni 7, Trieste 34100, Italy; Cardiac Surgery, Cardiovascular Department, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano-Isontina (ASUGI), Trieste, Italy
| | - Aldostefano Porcari
- Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cardiomyopathies, Cardiovascular Department, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano-Isontina (ASUGI) and University of Trieste, Via P. Valdoni 7, Trieste 34100, Italy
| | - Matteo Cameli
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Division of Cardiology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Elena Biagini
- Cardiology Unit, St. Orsola Hospital, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marco Canepa
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; Cardiovascular Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Lia Crotti
- Department of Cardiology, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Milan, Italy; Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Imazio
- Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Department, University Hospital "Santa Maria della Misericordia", ASUFC, Udine and Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Italy; Division of Cardiology, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Department, Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Cinzia Forleo
- University Cardiology Unit, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Polyclinic University Hospital, Bari, Italy
| | - Rita Pavasini
- Cardiology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Limongelli
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Inherited and Rare Heart Disease, Vanvitelli Cardiology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Stefano Perlini
- Department of Internal Medicine, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Marco Metra
- Cardiology, ASST Spedali Civili, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialities, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Boriani
- Cardiology Division, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Italy University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Policlinico di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Michele Emdin
- Health Science Interdisciplinary Center, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa
| | - Gianfranco Sinagra
- Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cardiomyopathies, Cardiovascular Department, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano-Isontina (ASUGI) and University of Trieste, Via P. Valdoni 7, Trieste 34100, Italy
| | - Marco Merlo
- Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cardiomyopathies, Cardiovascular Department, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano-Isontina (ASUGI) and University of Trieste, Via P. Valdoni 7, Trieste 34100, Italy.
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Ihne-Schubert SM, Goetze O, Gerstendörfer F, Sahiti F, Schade I, Papagianni A, Morbach C, Frantz S, Einsele H, Knop S, Sommer C, Müllhaupt B, Schubert T, Störk S, Geier A. Cardio-Hepatic Interaction in Cardiac Amyloidosis. J Clin Med 2024; 13:1440. [PMID: 38592299 PMCID: PMC10932330 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13051440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Congestion is associated with poor prognosis in cardiac amyloidosis (CA). The cardio-hepatic interaction and the prognostic impact of secondary liver affection by cardiac congestion in CA are poorly understood and require further characterisation. Methods: Participants of the amyloidosis cohort study AmyKoS at the Interdisciplinary Amyloidosis Centre of Northern Bavaria with proven transthyretin (ATTR-CA) and light chain CA (AL-CA) underwent serial work-up including laboratory tests, echocardiography, and in-depth hepatic assessment by vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) and 13C-methacetin breath test. Results: In total, 74 patients with AL-CA (n = 17), ATTR-CA (n = 26) and the controls (n = 31) were analysed. ATTR-CA patients showed decreased microsomal liver function expressed by maximal percentage of dose rate (PDRpeak) related to hepatic congestion. Reduced PDRpeak in AL-CA could result from altered pharmacokinetics due to changed hepatic blood flow. Liver stiffness as a combined surrogate of chronic liver damage and congestion was identified as a predictor of all-cause mortality. Statistical modelling of the cardio-hepatic interaction revealed septum thickness, NT-proBNP and PDRpeak as predictors of liver stiffness in both CA subtypes; dilatation of liver veins and the fibrosis score FIB-4 were only significant for ATTR-CA. Conclusions: Non-invasive methods allow us to characterise CA-associated hepatic pathophysiology. Liver stiffness might be promising for risk stratification in CA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Michaela Ihne-Schubert
- Interdisciplinary Amyloidosis Center of Northern Bavaria, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Hematology, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
- CIRCLE—Centre for Innovation Research, Lund University, 22100 Lund, Sweden
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, University Hospital Gießen and Marburg, 35392 Gießen, Germany
| | - Oliver Goetze
- Interdisciplinary Amyloidosis Center of Northern Bavaria, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Hepatology, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Medicine, Universitätsklinikum Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, 44892 Bochum, Germany
| | - Felix Gerstendörfer
- Interdisciplinary Amyloidosis Center of Northern Bavaria, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Hematology, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Floran Sahiti
- Interdisciplinary Amyloidosis Center of Northern Bavaria, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Heart Failure Center, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Cardiology, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ina Schade
- Department of Thoracic Surgery and Thoracic Endoscopy, Helios Klinikum Erfurt, 99089 Erfurt, Germany
| | - Aikaterini Papagianni
- Interdisciplinary Amyloidosis Center of Northern Bavaria, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Caroline Morbach
- Interdisciplinary Amyloidosis Center of Northern Bavaria, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Heart Failure Center, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Cardiology, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Frantz
- Interdisciplinary Amyloidosis Center of Northern Bavaria, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Heart Failure Center, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Cardiology, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Hermann Einsele
- Interdisciplinary Amyloidosis Center of Northern Bavaria, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Hematology, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Knop
- Interdisciplinary Amyloidosis Center of Northern Bavaria, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Hematology, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Hospital Nürnberg Nord, 90419 Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Claudia Sommer
- Interdisciplinary Amyloidosis Center of Northern Bavaria, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Beat Müllhaupt
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Torben Schubert
- CIRCLE—Centre for Innovation Research, Lund University, 22100 Lund, Sweden
- Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI, 76139 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Stefan Störk
- Interdisciplinary Amyloidosis Center of Northern Bavaria, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Heart Failure Center, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Cardiology, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Geier
- Interdisciplinary Amyloidosis Center of Northern Bavaria, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Hepatology, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
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6
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De Michieli L, De Gaspari M, Sinigiani G, Lupi A, Vedovelli L, Salvalaggio A, Della Barbera M, Rizzo S, Pilichou K, Cecchin D, Briani C, Gregori D, Tarantini G, Berno T, Trentin L, Basso C, Corrado D, Iliceto S, Perazzolo Marra M, Cipriani A. Chest pain in cardiac amyloidosis: occurrence, causes and prognostic significance. Int J Cardiol 2023; 389:131204. [PMID: 37481000 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2023.131204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chest pain is experienced by patients with cardiac amyloidosis (CA), but a systematic investigation of its frequency, underlying etiologies and clinical significance is lacking. METHODS Clinical, echocardiographic, laboratory characteristics, available coronary arteries imaging and endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) findings of 174 patients with CA (n = 104 with transthyretin, ATTR; n = 70 with light chains, AL) were analyzed. RESULTS Chest pain was reported in 66 (38%) CA patients. Compared to those without, patients with chest pain had more frequently a history of coronary artery disease (CAD) (27% vs 15%, p = 0.048) and heart failure (HF) symptoms (62% vs 43%, p = 0.015), higher high sensitivity troponin I (hs-cTnI, 101 vs 65 ng/L, p = 0.032) and higher brain natriuretic peptide (597 vs 407 ng/L, p = 0.024). Among CA patients with chest pain undergoing coronary arteries imaging (n = 37), obstructive CAD was detected in 14 (38%), 13 of whom with ATTR-CA. Of these 37 patients, EMB was available in 10 and vascular/perivascular amyloid deposition was detected in 4/5 (80%) of AL-CA patients and 1/5 ATTR-CA. Among patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome (n = 22), obstructive CAD was detected in 9/17 (53%) ATTR-CA and 0/5 AL-CA; hs-cTnI levels were similar between those with and without obstructive CAD. During a follow-up of 17 (8-34) months, chest pain was a significant predictor of HF hospitalization (HR1.86, 95% CI 1.02-3.39, p = 0.042), even after adjustment for CA subtype and CAD. CONCLUSION Chest pain is a common symptom in patients with CA, reflects a more advanced cardiac impairment and predicts future HF hospitalization. The etiology of chest pain seems to differ, with obstructive CAD more frequent in ATTR-CA whilst amyloid vascular/perivascular involvement more common in AL-CA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura De Michieli
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Italy
| | - Monica De Gaspari
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Italy; Cardiovascular Pathology Unit, University Hospital of Padua, Italy
| | - Giulio Sinigiani
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Italy
| | - Alessandro Lupi
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Italy
| | - Luca Vedovelli
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Italy; Unit of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Padua, Italy
| | - Alessandro Salvalaggio
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Italy; Padova Neuroscience Center (PNC), University of Padua, Italy
| | - Mila Della Barbera
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Italy; Cardiovascular Pathology Unit, University Hospital of Padua, Italy
| | - Stefania Rizzo
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Italy; Cardiovascular Pathology Unit, University Hospital of Padua, Italy
| | - Kalliopi Pilichou
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Italy; Cardiovascular Pathology Unit, University Hospital of Padua, Italy
| | - Diego Cecchin
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Nuclear Medicine Unit, University-Hospital of Padua, Italy
| | - Chiara Briani
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Italy
| | - Dario Gregori
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Italy; Unit of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Padua, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Tarantini
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Italy; Cardiology Unit, University Hospital of Padua, Italy
| | - Tamara Berno
- Hematology And Clinical Immunology Branch, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Italy
| | - Livio Trentin
- Hematology And Clinical Immunology Branch, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Italy
| | - Cristina Basso
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Italy; Cardiovascular Pathology Unit, University Hospital of Padua, Italy
| | - Domenico Corrado
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Italy; Cardiology Unit, University Hospital of Padua, Italy
| | - Sabino Iliceto
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Italy; Cardiology Unit, University Hospital of Padua, Italy
| | - Martina Perazzolo Marra
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Italy; Cardiology Unit, University Hospital of Padua, Italy
| | - Alberto Cipriani
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Italy; Cardiology Unit, University Hospital of Padua, Italy.
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7
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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