Arq. Bras. Cardiol. 2022; 119(2): 223-224
Utility of Biomarkers in Suspected Cardiac Amyloidosis: Opportunity for More Frequent and Early Diagnosis
João Marcos Barbosa-Ferreira
, Andreza Araújo de Oliveira
This Short Editorial is referred by the Research article "Diagnostic Role of NT-proBNP in Patients with Cardiac Amyloidosis Involvement: A Meta-Analysis".
The meta-analysis entitled “Diagnostic Role of NT-proBNP in Patients with Cardiac Amyloidosis Involvement: A Meta-Analysis” brings us an important review of the usefulness of NT-proBNP measurement in patients with cardiac involvement by amyloidosis. The demonstration of good sensitivity and specificity of this biomarker reinforces its usefulness in the diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis (CA).
Cardiac amyloidosis has been increasingly diagnosed, especially in patients with the heart failure phenotype of preserved ejection fraction. Just over half of the patients with symptoms of heart failure have preserved ejection fraction, especially elderly individuals. This finding is usually considered only as age-related diastolic dysfunction and associated comorbidities. However, this factor should be one of the warning signs for diagnosing CA, especially when associated with high levels of biomarkers. A great variability in the frequency of diagnosis of CA in the general population has been described, ranging from 5 to 74% between the various studies. This variability may be related to factors such as low clinical suspicion or difficulties accessing complementary exams necessary for diagnosing cardiac involvement in amyloidosis. The diagnostic flowchart in patients with suspected cardiac involvement by amyloidosis is mainly based on imaging tests.– These tests can be expensive, such as myocardial scintigraphy, strain echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance, and, often, they are only available at cardiology referral centers, making the diagnosis of CA more difficult and delayed. In addition, it is important to note that the late diagnosis of these patients can directly influence the prognosis by delaying the start of treatment, leading to a median of 6 months of survival after the development of symptoms in the AL form of amyloidosis for example.
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