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Clerc OF, Vijayakumar S, Dorbala S. Radionuclide Imaging of Cardiac Amyloidosis: An Update and Future Aspects. Semin Nucl Med 2024:S0001-2998(24)00053-9. [PMID: 38960850 DOI: 10.1053/j.semnuclmed.2024.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is caused by the misfolding, accumulation and aggregation of proteins into large fibrils in the extracellular compartment of the myocardium, leading to restrictive cardiomyopathy, heart failure and death. The major forms are transthyretin (ATTR) CA and light-chain (AL) CA, based on the respective precursor protein. Each of them requires early diagnosis for a timely treatment initiation that will improve patient outcomes. For this, radionuclide imaging is essentially used as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with bone-avid radiotracers or as positron emission tomography (PET) with amyloid-binding radiotracers. Both offer unprecedented specificity for the diagnostic of CA. SPECT has even revolutionized the diagnosis of ATTR-CA by making it non-invasive. Indeed, SPECT has now entered the standard diagnostic pathway to CA and has led to earlier diagnosis of the disease. SPECT also modified the epidemiology of ATTR-CA, highlighting that the disease is much more frequent than previously believed, and showing that ATTR-CA plays a substantial role in HFpEF and aortic stenosis, particularly among elderly patients. In parallel, amyloid-binding radiotracers for PET have accumulated a substantial amount of evidence, but are not approved for clinical use in CA yet. Further studies are needed to refine acquisition protocols and validate results in broader populations. Unlike bone-avid SPECT radiotracers, PET radiotracers have been specifically created to bind to amyloid fibrils. Thus, PET is the only imaging method that is truly specific for amyloid deposits and very sensitive to any amyloid type. Indeed, PET can not only detect ATTR-CA, but also AL-CA and rare hereditary forms. For both SPECT and PET, advances in quantitation of myocardial uptake have generated more granular and reproducible findings, paving the way for progress in earlier diagnosis, risk stratification and therapeutic response monitoring. Encouraging findings have shown that SPECT and PET are sensitive to early CA when other diagnostic methods are negative. Both radionuclide imaging techniques can predict adverse outcomes, but more evidence is needed to determine how to use them in conjunction with usual prognostic staging scores. Studies on follow-up imaging after therapy suggested that SPECT and PET can capture myocardial changes in CA, but again, more data are needed to meaningfully interpret such changes. Based on all these promising results, radionuclide imaging has the potential to further impact the landscape of CA in diagnosis, prognosis and follow-up, but also to substantially contribute to the assessment of novel therapies that will improve the lives of patients with CA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier F Clerc
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Cardiac Amyloidosis Program, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Shilpa Vijayakumar
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Cardiac Amyloidosis Program, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Sharmila Dorbala
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Cardiac Amyloidosis Program, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; CV Imaging Program, Cardiovascular Division and Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA.
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Datar Y, Clerc OF, Cuddy SAM, Kim S, Taylor A, Neri JC, Benz DC, Bianchi G, Yee AJ, Sanchorawala V, Ruberg FL, Landau H, Liao R, Kijewski MF, Jerosch-Herold M, Kwong RY, Di Carli MF, Falk RH, Dorbala S. Quantification of right ventricular amyloid burden with 18F-florbetapir positron emission tomography/computed tomography and its association with right ventricular dysfunction and outcomes in light-chain amyloidosis. Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging 2024; 25:687-697. [PMID: 38193678 PMCID: PMC11057921 DOI: 10.1093/ehjci/jead350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
AIMS In systemic light-chain (AL) amyloidosis, quantification of right ventricular (RV) amyloid burden has been limited and the pathogenesis of RV dysfunction is poorly understood. Using 18F-florbetapir positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), we aimed to quantify RV amyloid; correlate RV amyloid with RV structure and function; determine the independent contributions of RV, left ventricular (LV), and lung amyloid to RV function; and associate RV amyloid with major adverse cardiac events (MACE: death, heart failure hospitalization, cardiac transplantation). METHODS AND RESULTS We prospectively enrolled 106 participants with AL amyloidosis (median age 62 years, 55% males) who underwent 18F-florbetapir PET/CT, magnetic resonance imaging, and echocardiography. 18F-florbetapir PET/CT identified RV amyloid in 63% of those with and 40% of those without cardiac involvement by conventional criteria. RV amyloid burden correlated with RV ejection fraction (EF), RV free wall longitudinal strain (FWLS), RV wall thickness, RV mass index, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, troponin T, LV amyloid, and lung amyloid (each P < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, RV amyloid burden, but not LV or lung amyloid burden, predicted RV dysfunction (EF P = 0.014; FWLS P < 0.001). During a median follow-up of 28 months, RV amyloid burden predicted MACE (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION This study shows for the first time that 18F-florbetapir PET/CT identifies early RV amyloid in systemic AL amyloidosis prior to alterations in RV structure and function. Increasing RV amyloid on 18F-florbetapir PET/CT is associated with worse RV structure and function, predicts RV dysfunction, and predicts MACE. These results imply a central role for RV amyloid in the pathogenesis of RV dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yesh Datar
- Cardiac Amyloidosis Program, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Olivier F Clerc
- Cardiac Amyloidosis Program, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- CV Imaging Program, Cardiovascular Division and Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sarah A M Cuddy
- Cardiac Amyloidosis Program, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- CV Imaging Program, Cardiovascular Division and Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sirwoo Kim
- Cardiac Amyloidosis Program, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Alexandra Taylor
- Cardiac Amyloidosis Program, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jocelyn Canseco Neri
- Cardiac Amyloidosis Program, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Dominik C Benz
- Cardiac Amyloidosis Program, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- CV Imaging Program, Cardiovascular Division and Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Giada Bianchi
- Cardiac Amyloidosis Program, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andrew J Yee
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Vaishali Sanchorawala
- Section of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Amyloidosis Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Frederick L Ruberg
- Amyloidosis Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Heather Landau
- Division of Medical Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ronglih Liao
- Amyloidosis Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Marie Foley Kijewski
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Michael Jerosch-Herold
- CV Imaging Program, Cardiovascular Division and Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Raymond Y Kwong
- CV Imaging Program, Cardiovascular Division and Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Marcelo F Di Carli
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- CV Imaging Program, Cardiovascular Division and Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Rodney H Falk
- Cardiac Amyloidosis Program, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sharmila Dorbala
- Cardiac Amyloidosis Program, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- CV Imaging Program, Cardiovascular Division and Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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Clerc OF, Cuddy SAM, Jerosch-Herold M, Benz DC, Katznelson E, Canseco Neri J, Taylor A, Kijewski MF, Bianchi G, Ruberg FL, Di Carli MF, Liao R, Kwong RY, Falk RH, Dorbala S. Myocardial Characterization for Early Diagnosis, Treatment Response Monitoring, and Risk Assessment in Systemic Light-Chain Amyloidosis. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.10.04.23296572. [PMID: 37873250 PMCID: PMC10593053 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.04.23296572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Aims In systemic light-chain (AL) amyloidosis, cardiac involvement portends poor prognosis. Using myocardial characteristics on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), this study aimed to detect early myocardial alterations, to analyze temporal changes with plasma cell therapy, and to predict risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in AL amyloidosis. Methods and Results Participants with recently diagnosed AL amyloidosis were prospectively enrolled. Presence of AL cardiomyopathy (AL-CMP vs. AL-non-CMP) was determined by abnormal cardiac biomarkers. MRI was performed at baseline and 6 months, with 12-month imaging in AL-CMP cohort. MACE was defined as all-cause death, heart failure hospitalization, or cardiac transplantation. Mayo AL stage was based on troponin T, NT-proBNP, and difference in free light chains. The study cohort included 80 participants (median age 62 years, 58% males). Median left ventricular extracellular volume (ECV) was significantly higher in AL-CMP (53% vs. 30%, p<0.001). ECV was abnormal (>32%) in all AL-CMP and in 47% of AL-non-CMP. ECV tended to increase at 6 months and decreased significantly from 6 to 12 months in AL-CMP (median -3%, p=0.011). ECV was strongly associated with MACE (p<0.001), and improved MACE prediction when added to Mayo AL stage (p=0.002). ECV≤32% identified a cohort without MACE, while ECV>48% identified a cohort with 74% MACE. Conclusions In AL amyloidosis, ECV detects subclinical cardiomyopathy. ECV tends to increase from baseline to 6 months and decreases significantly from 6 and 12 months of plasma cell therapy in AL-CMP. ECV provides excellent risk stratification and offers additional prognostic performance over Mayo AL stage.
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Clerc OF, Datar Y, Cuddy SA, Bianchi G, Taylor A, Benz DC, Robertson M, Kijewski MF, Jerosch-Herold M, Kwong RY, Ruberg FL, Liao R, Di Carli MF, Falk RH, Dorbala S. Prognostic Value of Left Ventricular 18 F-Florbetapir Uptake in Systemic Light-Chain Amyloidosis. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.09.13.23295520. [PMID: 37745589 PMCID: PMC10516059 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.13.23295520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Background Myocardial immunoglobulin light-chain (AL) amyloid deposits trigger heart failure, cardiomyocyte stretch and myocardial injury, leading to adverse cardiac outcomes. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) with 18 F-florbetapir, a novel amyloid-targeting radiotracer, can quantify left ventricular (LV) amyloid burden, but its prognostic value is not known. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of LV amyloid burden quantified by 18 F-florbetapir PET/CT and to identify mechanistic pathways mediating its association with outcomes. Methods Eighty-one participants with newly-diagnosed systemic AL amyloidosis were prospectively enrolled and underwent 18 F-florbetapir PET/CT. LV amyloid burden was quantified using 18 F-florbetapir LV percent injected dose (%ID). Mayo AL stage was determined using troponin T, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and difference between involved and uninvolved free light chain levels. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were defined as all-cause death, heart failure hospitalization, or cardiac transplantation within 12 months. Results Among participants (median age 61 years, 57% males), 36% experienced MACE. Incidence of MACE increased across tertiles of LV amyloid burden from 7% to 63% (p<0.001). LV amyloid burden was significantly associated with MACE in univariable analysis (hazard ratio 1.45, 95% confidence interval 1.15-1.82, p=0.002). However, this association became non-significant in multivariable analyses adjusted for Mayo AL stage. Mediation analysis showed that the association between 18 F-florbetapir LV %ID and MACE was primarily mediated by NT-proBNP (p<0.001), a marker of cardiomyocyte stretch and component of Mayo AL stage. Conclusion In this first study to link cardiac 18 F-florbetapir uptake to subsequent outcomes, LV amyloid burden estimated by LV %ID predicted MACE in AL amyloidosis. But this effect was not independent of Mayo AL stage. LV amyloid burden was associated with MACE primarily via NT-pro-BNP, a marker of cardiomyocyte stretch and component of Mayo AL stage. These findings provide novel insights into the mechanism through which myocardial AL amyloid leads to MACE. Clinical Perspective In systemic light-chain (AL) amyloidosis, cardiac involvement is the key determinant of adverse outcomes. Usually, prognosis is based on the Mayo AL stage, determined by troponin T, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and the difference between involved and uninvolved immunoglobulin free light chain levels (dFLC). Cardiac amyloid burden is not considered in this staging. In the present study, we used the amyloid-specific radiotracer 18 F-florbetapir to quantify left ventricular (LV) amyloid burden in 81 participants with newly-diagnosed AL amyloidosis and evaluated its prognostic value on major adverse outcomes (MACE: all-cause death, heart failure hospitalization, or cardiac transplantation within 12 months). We found that higher LV amyloid burden by 18 F-florbetapir positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) was strongly associated with MACE. However, this association became non-significant after adjustment for the Mayo AL stage. Mediation analysis offered novel pathophysiological insights, implying that LV amyloid burden leads to MACE predominantly through cardiomyocyte stretch and light chain toxicity (by NT-proBNP), rather than through myocardial injury (by troponin T), also considering the severity of plasma cell dyscrasia (by dFLC). This mediation by NT-proBNP may explain why the association with outcomes was non-significant with adjustment for Mayo AL stage. Together, these results establish quantitative 18 F-florbetapir PET/CT as a valid method to predict adverse outcomes in AL amyloidosis. These results support the use of 18 F-florbetapir PET/CT to measure the effects of novel fibril-depleting therapies, in addition to plasma cell therapy, to improve outcomes in systemic AL amyloidosis.
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Ruberg FL. Finally Getting to the Heart of the Matter: Imaging Multiorgan Treatment Response in AL Amyloidosis. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging 2023; 16:1053-1055. [PMID: 37269271 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmg.2023.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Frederick L Ruberg
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, and Amyloidosis Center, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
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Nikiforova A, Sedov I. Molecular Design of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Agents Binding to Amyloid Deposits. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11152. [PMID: 37446329 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241311152] [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: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability to detect and monitor amyloid deposition in the brain using non-invasive imaging techniques provides valuable insights into the early diagnosis and progression of Alzheimer's disease and helps to evaluate the efficacy of potential treatments. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a widely available technique offering high-spatial-resolution imaging. It can be used to visualize amyloid deposits with the help of amyloid-binding diagnostic agents injected into the body. In recent years, a number of amyloid-targeted MRI probes have been developed, but none of them has entered clinical practice. We review the advances in the field and deduce the requirements for the molecular structure and properties of a diagnostic probe candidate. These requirements make up the base for the rational design of MRI-active small molecules targeting amyloid deposits. Particular attention is paid to the novel cryo-EM structures of the fibril aggregates and their complexes, with known binders offering the possibility to use computational structure-based design methods. With continued research and development, MRI probes may revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, ultimately improving the lives of millions of people worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alena Nikiforova
- Chemical Institute, Kazan Federal University, Kremlevskaya 18, 420008 Kazan, Russia
| | - Igor Sedov
- Chemical Institute, Kazan Federal University, Kremlevskaya 18, 420008 Kazan, Russia
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Shetty M, Malhotra S. Novel Tracers for the Imaging of Cardiac Amyloidosis. J Nucl Med Technol 2023:jnmt.123.265568. [PMID: 37192820 DOI: 10.2967/jnmt.123.265568] [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: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Radionuclide scintigraphy with technetium-labeled bisphosphonates has brought a paradigm shift in diagnosing cardiac amyloidosis (CA), with transthyretin CA now being effectively diagnosed without the need for tissue biopsy. Yet, deficits remain, such as methods for the noninvasive diagnosis of light-chain CA, means to detect CA early, prognostication, monitoring, and therapy response assessment. To address these issues, there has been growing interest in the development and implementation of amyloid-specific radiotracers for PET. The aim of this review is to educate the reader on these novel imaging tracers. Though still investigational, these novel tracers-given their many advantages-are clearly the future of nuclear imaging in CA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mrinali Shetty
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; and
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Wechalekar AD, Fontana M, Quarta CC, Liedtke M. AL Amyloidosis for Cardiologists: Awareness, Diagnosis, and Future Prospects: JACC: CardioOncology State-of-the-Art Review. JACC CardioOncol 2022; 4:427-441. [PMID: 36444232 PMCID: PMC9700258 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaccao.2022.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyloid light chain (AL) amyloidosis is a rare, debilitating, often fatal disease. Symptoms of cardiomyopathy are common presenting features, and patients often are referred to cardiologists. Cardiac amyloid infiltration is the leading predictor of death. However, the variable presentation and perceived rarity of the disease frequently lead to delay in suspecting amyloidosis as a cause of heart failure, leading to misdiagnoses and a marked delay in diagnosis, with devastating consequences for the patient. A median time from symptom onset to correct diagnosis of about 2 years is often too long when median survival from diagnosis for patients with AL amyloidosis and cardiomyopathy is 4 months to 2 years. The authors highlight the challenges to diagnosis, identify gaps in the current knowledge, and summarize novel treatments on the horizon to raise awareness about the critical need for early recognition of symptoms and diagnosis of AL amyloidosis aimed at accelerating treatment and improving outcomes for patients.
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Key Words
- AL amyloidosis
- AL, amyloid light chain
- ASCT, autologous stem cell transplantation
- ATTR, transthyretin
- CMR, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging
- CR, complete response
- CyBorD, cyclophosphamide-bortezomib-dexamethasone
- FLC, free light chain
- Ig, immunoglobulin
- LGE, late gadolinium enhancement
- NT-proBNP, N-terminal pro–brain natriuretic peptide
- PCD, plasma cell dyscrasia
- QoL, quality of life
- VGPR, very good partial response
- awareness
- diagnosis
- future therapies
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marianna Fontana
- National Amyloidosis Centre, London, United Kingdom
- Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - C. Cristina Quarta
- Alexion Pharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michaela Liedtke
- Stanford Amyloid Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
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Trakada G, Fotiou D, Kallianos A, Theodorakakou F, Migkou M, Gavriatopoulou M, Kanellias N, Malandrakis P, Ntanasis-Stathopoulos I, Eleutherakis-Papaiakovou E, Dialoupi I, Terpos E, Dimopoulos MA, Kastritis E. Pulmonary function tests reveal unrecognised lung dysfunction and have independent prognostic significance in patients with systemic AL amyloidosis. Amyloid 2022:1-8. [PMID: 36281984 DOI: 10.1080/13506129.2022.2136519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lung involvement in AL amyloidosis is not very common, but post-mortem data and retrospective studies suggest it is likely underrecognized. AIM To perform a comprehensive evaluation of lung function with pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in patients with newly diagnosed AL amyloidosis. METHODS A prospective, non-interventional study of 139 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed AL amyloidosis. RESULTS PFTs indicated normal breathing physiology in 68% of patients, obstructive in 9% and restrictive in 23%; the latter was associated with worse survival (28.6 vs 76 months for obstructive/normal physiology, p = 0.002) and remained significant after adjustment for Mayo stage and abnormal chest-CT. Forced vital capacity <80% of predicted value, forced expiratory volume <80% of predicted value, and carbon monoxide diffusion capacity <70% were independently associated with poorer survival. Respiratory muscle strength (as assessed by maximal expiratory (Pe) and inspiratory (Pi) pressure) was affected in most patients (64% had Pi < 55% and 57% had Pe < 70% of predicted values). Pe% was an independent prognostic factor for survival (HR: 0.984 per 1% unit increase, p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS Pulmonary dysfunction, as assessed with PFTs, is common and underrecognized in patients with systemic AL amyloidosis, with significant prognostic and potentially therapeutic implications, independent of the degree of cardiac dysfunction or chest-CT findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Trakada
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Athens, Greece
| | - Despina Fotiou
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Athens, Greece
| | - Anastasios Kallianos
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Athens, Greece
| | - Foteini Theodorakakou
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Athens, Greece
| | - Magdalini Migkou
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Gavriatopoulou
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Kanellias
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Malandrakis
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Ntanasis-Stathopoulos
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Ioanna Dialoupi
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelos Terpos
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Athens, Greece
| | - Meletios A Dimopoulos
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Athens, Greece
| | - Efstathios Kastritis
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Athens, Greece
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Monfort A, Rivas A, Banydeen R, Inamo J, Farid K, Neviere R. Pulmonary 99mTc-HMDP uptake correlates with restrictive ventilatory defects and abnormal lung reactance in transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis patients. Respir Res 2022; 23:72. [PMID: 35346209 PMCID: PMC8962108 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-022-01995-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pulmonary involvement in individuals with transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis is unclear. The aim of this study was to quantify 99mTc-hydroxy methylene diphosphonate (HMDP) lung retention in hereditary transthyretin (ATTRv) cardiac amyloidosis patients and to relate tracer uptake intensity to pulmonary function and aerobic capacity. METHODS We prospectively enrolled 20 patients with biopsy-proven ATTRv cardiac amyloidosis and 20 control subjects. Cardiac involvement was confirmed by echocardiography and nuclear imaging using 99mTc-HMDP. Semi-quantitative analysis of the heart, rib and lung retention was assessed using a simple region of interest technique. Pulmonary function was evaluation by the means of whole-body plethysmography, diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide, forced oscillation technique and cardiopulmonary exercise testing. RESULTS Pulmonary tracer uptake estimated by lung to rib retention ratio was higher in ATTRv amyloidosis patients compared with control subjects: median 0.62 (0.55-0.69) vs 0.51 (0.46-0.60); p = 0.014. Analysis of relation between lung 99mTc-HMDP retention and pulmonary function parameters shown statistically significant correlations with total lung volume (% predicted), lung reactance (Xrs 5 Hz) and peak VO2, suggesting total lung capacity restriction impaired elastic properties of the lung and poor aerobic capacity. CONCLUSION Our study suggests that some grade of pulmonary retention of 99mTc-HMDP may occur in patients with cardiac ATTRv amyloidosis, which can elicit deleterious effects on patient's lung function and aerobic capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Monfort
- Department of Cardiology, CHU Martinique (University Hospital of Martinique), 97200, Fort-de-France, France
- Cardiovascular Research Team EA7525, Université des Antilles (University of the French West Indies), 97200, Fort-de-France, France
| | - Alexia Rivas
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, CHU Martinique (University Hospital of Martinique), 97200, Fort-de-France, France
| | - Rishika Banydeen
- Department of Clinical Research, CHU Martinique (University Hospital of Martinique), 97200, Fort-de-France, France
- Cardiovascular Research Team EA7525, Université des Antilles (University of the French West Indies), 97200, Fort-de-France, France
| | - Jocelyn Inamo
- Department of Cardiology, CHU Martinique (University Hospital of Martinique), 97200, Fort-de-France, France
- Cardiovascular Research Team EA7525, Université des Antilles (University of the French West Indies), 97200, Fort-de-France, France
| | - Karim Farid
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, CHU Martinique (University Hospital of Martinique), 97200, Fort-de-France, France
- INSERM U1144, Université de Paris, 75006, Paris, France
| | - Remi Neviere
- Department of Cardiology, CHU Martinique (University Hospital of Martinique), 97200, Fort-de-France, France.
- Cardiovascular Research Team EA7525, Université des Antilles (University of the French West Indies), 97200, Fort-de-France, France.
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11
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Sperry BW, Bock A, DiFilippo FP, Donnelly JP, Hanna M, Jaber WA. Pilot Study of F18-Florbetapir in the Early Evaluation of Cardiac Amyloidosis. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:693194. [PMID: 34250046 PMCID: PMC8267881 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.693194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Cardiac amyloidosis is an increasingly recognized etiology of heart failure, in part due to the rise of non-invasive nuclear bone scintigraphy. Molecular imaging using positron emission tomography (PET) has promised the direct visualization of cardiac amyloid fibrils. We sought to assess the performance of F18-florbetapir PET in patients with a potential for cardiac amyloidosis in order to identify early disease. Methods: We performed a pilot study of 12 patients: one with asymptomatic transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis, seven with a potential for developing cardiac amyloidosis (two smoldering myeloma and five with extracardiac biopsy demonstrating transthyretin amyloid deposits and negative technetium pyrophosphate scans), and four controls. Patients were imaged with PET/CT in listmode 10–20 min after receiving F18-florbetapir. Static images were created from this acquisition, and mean standardized uptake values (SUVs) of the left ventricular myocardium, blood pool, paraspinal muscles, and liver were calculated. Results: All 12 patients demonstrated radiotracer uptake in the myocardium with mean SUV of 2.3 ± 0.4 and blood pool SUV of 0.8 ± 0.1. The patient with cardiac amyloidosis had SUV of 3.3, while mean SUV for patients at risk was 2.3 ± 0.4 and for controls was 2.2 ± 0.3. After 3 years of follow-up, one patient with SUV below the mean was subsequently diagnosed with ATTR cardiac amyloidosis. Conclusion: In this cohort, PET with F18-florbetapir demonstrated non-specific radiotracer uptake in the myocardium in all patients using a static image protocol; though, the highest values were noted in a patient with ATTR cardiac amyloidosis. There was no difference in the intensity of F18-florbetapir uptake in at-risk patients and controls. Future studies should continue to investigate metabolic PET tracers and protocols in cardiac amyloidosis, including in early disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett W Sperry
- Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Kansas City, MO, United States.,Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute, Kansas City, MO, United States.,University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, United States
| | - Ashley Bock
- Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Kansas City, MO, United States
| | | | | | - Mazen Hanna
- Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Kansas City, MO, United States
| | - Wael A Jaber
- Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Kansas City, MO, United States
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12
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Patel RK, Fontana M, Ruberg FL. Cardiac Amyloidosis: Multimodal Imaging of Disease Activity and Response to Treatment. Circ Cardiovasc Imaging 2021; 14:e009025. [PMID: 34129344 DOI: 10.1161/circimaging.121.009025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is a disease characterized by the deposition of misfolded protein deposits in the myocardial interstitium. Although advanced CA confers significant morbidity and mortality, the magnitude of deposition and ensuing clinical manifestations vary greatly. Thus, an improved understanding of disease pathogenesis at both cellular and functional levels would afford critical insights that may improve outcomes. This review will summarize contemporary therapies for the 2 major types of CA, transthyretin and light chain amyloidosis, and outline the capacity of imaging modalities to both diagnose CA, inform prognosis, and follow response to available therapies. We explore the current landscape of echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance, and bone scintigraphy in the assessment of functional and cellular parameters of dysfunction in CA throughout disease pathogenesis. Finally, we examine the impact of concurrent advances in both therapeutics and imaging on future research questions that improve our understanding of underlying disease mechanisms. Multimodal imaging in CA affords an indispensable tool to offer individualized treatment plans and improve outcomes in patients with CA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rishi K Patel
- National Amyloidosis Centre, University College London, Royal Free Campus, United Kingdom (R.K.P., M.F.)
| | - Marianna Fontana
- National Amyloidosis Centre, University College London, Royal Free Campus, United Kingdom (R.K.P., M.F.)
| | - Frederick L Ruberg
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Amyloidosis Center, Department of Radiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, MA (F.L.R.)
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13
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Khor YM, Cuddy S, Falk RH, Dorbala S. Multimodality Imaging in the Evaluation and Management of Cardiac Amyloidosis. Semin Nucl Med 2020; 50:295-310. [PMID: 32540027 PMCID: PMC9440475 DOI: 10.1053/j.semnuclmed.2020.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Systemic amyloidosis is a heterogeneous group of disorders where misfolded proteins deposit in the various organs as nonbranching fibrils with a β-pleated-sheet structure called amyloid. Extensive extracellular deposition of these amyloid fibrils eventually leads to organ dysfunction. Involvement of the heart, termed as cardiac amyloidosis, leads to heart failure if left untreated and carries high morbidity and mortality. Current interest in cardiac amyloidosis is growing rapidly thanks to the recent development of effective targeted treatment options, driving the need for better and earlier detection of the condition, which is largely underdiagnosed and far commoner than recognized. Timely diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis is challenging, but is poised to improve with emergence of newer noninvasive imaging techniques, potentially obviating the need for endomyocardial biopsy in some patients and providing prognostic information. With recent advances in the therapeutic options for cardiac amyloidosis, an area of immense interest is the adoption of imaging as biomarkers for longitudinal assessment of disease progression and treatment response. In this article, we provide an overview of cardiac amyloidosis, discuss the role of imaging modalities in cardiac amyloidosis, and explore future directions for imaging in cardiac amyloidosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiu Ming Khor
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sarah Cuddy
- CV imaging program, Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Rodney H Falk
- Cardiac Amyloidosis Program, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Sharmila Dorbala
- Cardiac Amyloidosis Program, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Cardiac Amyloidosis Program, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA.
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14
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Papathanasiou M, Carpinteiro A, Rischpler C, Hagenacker T, Rassaf T, Luedike P. Diagnosing cardiac amyloidosis in every-day practice: A practical guide for the cardiologist. IJC HEART & VASCULATURE 2020; 28:100519. [PMID: 32373710 PMCID: PMC7191222 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcha.2020.100519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) has emerged as a previously underestimated cause of heart failure and mortality. Underdiagnosis resulted mainly from unawareness of the true disease prevalence and the non-specific symptoms of the disease. CA results from extracellular deposition of misfolded protein fibrils, commonly derived from transthyretin (ATTR) or immunoglobulin light chains (AL). A significant proportion of older patients with heart failure and other extracardiac manifestations suffer from ATTR-CA, whereas AL-CA is still considered a rare disease. This article provides an overview of CA with a special focus on current and emerging diagnostic modalities. Furthermore, we provide a diagnostic algorithm for the evaluation of patients with suspected CA in every-day practice.
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Key Words
- 99mTc-DPD, 99mTc-3,3-diphosphono-1,2-propanodicarboxylic acid
- AA, amyloid A amyloidosis
- AApoA-1, apolipoprotein A-1 amyloidosis
- AL, light chain amyloidosis
- ATTR, transthyretin amyloidosis
- ATTRv, variant transthyretin amyloidosis
- ATTRwt, wild type transthyretin amyloidosis
- Amyloidosis
- CA, cardiac amyloidosis
- Cardiomyopathy
- ECV, Extracellular volume
- EMB, endomyocardial biopsy
- Heart failure
- LGE, late gadolinium enhancement
- LV, left ventricular/ left ventricular
- Light chains
- MGUS, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance
- MRI, magnetic resonance imaging
- NT-proBNP, N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide
- PET, positron-emission tomography
- SPECT, single photon emission computed tomography
- Transthyretin
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Papathanasiou
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, West German Heart and Vascular Center, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147 Essen, Germany.,West German Amyloidosis Center, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Alexander Carpinteiro
- Department of Hematology, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147 Essen, Germany.,West German Amyloidosis Center, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Christoph Rischpler
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147 Essen, Germany.,West German Amyloidosis Center, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Tim Hagenacker
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147 Essen, Germany.,West German Amyloidosis Center, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Tienush Rassaf
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, West German Heart and Vascular Center, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147 Essen, Germany.,West German Amyloidosis Center, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Peter Luedike
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, West German Heart and Vascular Center, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147 Essen, Germany.,West German Amyloidosis Center, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147 Essen, Germany
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