TRANSTHYRETIN CARDIAC AMYLOIDOSIS: PARTICULARITIES IN NORTH-EASTERN ROMANIA

Authors

  • T.M. IONESCU “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi
  • Manuela CIOCOIU “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi
  • Irena GRIEROSU “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi
  • W. JALLOUL “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi
  • Cati STOLNICEANU “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi
  • Roxana IACOB Regional Institute of Oncology Iași, Romania
  • R.V. LUPUSORU “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi
  • R. SASCAU “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi
  • Cipriana STEFANESCU “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi

Abstract

Transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA) is characterized by progressive thickening of both ventricles and interatrial septum. The diagnostic algorithm is based on a correlation between biomarkers, electrocardiography, ultrasonography and bone scintigraphy criteria. However, epidemiological data may offer a glimpse for a possible ATTR-CA even before other investigations. The aim of this study is to determine the profile of the ideal ATTR-CA patient based on patient’s epidemiology. Materials and methods: 72 patients (suspected, accidentally diagnosed or diagnosed with cardiac amyloidosis) over the course of 7 years from the archive of the Nuclear Medicine Laboratory of “Sf. Spiridon” County Clinical Emergency Hospital were analyzed. ATTR-CA diagnoses was made by bone scintigraphy, reducing the group to 20 patients. Epidemiological parameters included: patient’s gender, age, height, weight and provenance region. Results: Gender classification revealed an equal distribution among ATTR-CA positive patients, aged between 30-89 years old and from Iași County. Endomyocardial biopsy (gold standard method) is an invasive and not widely accessible method. Correlation between biomarkers, electrocardiography, ultrasonography and bone scintigraphy criteria represents the alternative method for diagnosing this rare disease. However, a profile of the standard ATTR-CA patient based on epidemiological data may offer a possible insight for directing the diagnosing algorithm to include this pathology. Conclusions: Epidemiological data may offer a possible profile of the standard patient that can be suspected of ATTR-CA, therefore increasing the accuracy of diagnosing this disease.

Author Biographies

  • Irena GRIEROSU, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi

    Regional Institute of Oncology Iași, Romania

  • Cati STOLNICEANU, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi

    “Sf. Spiridon” County Clinical Emergency Hospital Iași, Romania

  • R. SASCAU, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi

    Cardiovascular Diseases Institute “Prof. Dr. George I.M. Georgescu” Iași, Romania

  • Cipriana STEFANESCU, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi

    “Sf. Spiridon” County Clinical Emergency Hospital Iași, Romania

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Additional Files

Published

2023-12-21

Issue

Vol. 127 No. 4 (2023): The Medical-Surgical Journal

Section

BASIC SCIENCES

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