F Minutoli1, G Di Bella2, A Mazzeo2, R Laudicella3, L Gentile2, M Russo4, G Vita2, S Baldari1. 1. Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, University Hospital "G. Martino", Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125, Messina, Italy. 2. Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, University Hospital "G. Martino", Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125, Messina, Italy. 3. Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, University Hospital "G. Martino", Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125, Messina, Italy. riclaudi@hotmail.it. 4. Nemo Sud Clinical Centre, University Hospital "G. Martino", Messina, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: To determine the capability of 99mTc-DPD scintigraphy to detect early cardiac involvement and predict clinical worsening in transthyretin (TTR) gene mutation patients. METHODS: Eleven mutated subjects with normal interventricular septum (IVS) thickness, NT-proBNP level and no cardiac symptoms underwent three seriate 99mTc-DPD scans (visually and semiquantitatively analyzed), and was followed-up for 5-8-years. RESULTS: Six patients showed no myocardial accumulation in all scans. Increased IVS thickness occurring in one patient 4 years after the last scan was the only abnormal finding in these patients; no cardiac symptoms developed during the follow-up. In three patients, cardiac radiotracer uptake was found at enrollment; other laboratory/instrumental abnormal findings occurred later and cardiac symptoms developed during the follow-up period. Two patients had a negative 99mTc-DPD scan at enrollment and showed cardiac uptake in the following scans. Increased mean left-ventricular (LV) wall thickness was found 3 years after positive scintigraphy; NT-proBNP increased later in one patient. These patients developed cardiac symptoms during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: 99mTc-DPD scan detects cardiac involvement in subjects with TTR gene mutation earlier than ECG, echocardiography and biochemical markers, occurring some years before the fulfillment of current diagnostic criteria for cardiac amyloidosis. A positive 99mTc-DPD scan predicts cardiac symptoms onset.
BACKGROUND: To determine the capability of 99mTc-DPD scintigraphy to detect early cardiac involvement and predict clinical worsening in transthyretin (TTR) gene mutation patients. METHODS: Eleven mutated subjects with normal interventricular septum (IVS) thickness, NT-proBNP level and no cardiac symptoms underwent three seriate 99mTc-DPD scans (visually and semiquantitatively analyzed), and was followed-up for 5-8-years. RESULTS: Six patients showed no myocardial accumulation in all scans. Increased IVS thickness occurring in one patient 4 years after the last scan was the only abnormal finding in these patients; no cardiac symptoms developed during the follow-up. In three patients, cardiac radiotracer uptake was found at enrollment; other laboratory/instrumental abnormal findings occurred later and cardiac symptoms developed during the follow-up period. Two patients had a negative 99mTc-DPD scan at enrollment and showed cardiac uptake in the following scans. Increased mean left-ventricular (LV) wall thickness was found 3 years after positive scintigraphy; NT-proBNP increased later in one patient. These patients developed cardiac symptoms during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: 99mTc-DPD scan detects cardiac involvement in subjects with TTR gene mutation earlier than ECG, echocardiography and biochemical markers, occurring some years before the fulfillment of current diagnostic criteria for cardiac amyloidosis. A positive 99mTc-DPD scan predicts cardiac symptoms onset.