Overview
Transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA) is a progressive infiltrative cardiomyopathy caused by the deposition of misfolded transthyretin protein within the myocardium. Current disease staging and follow-up strategies mainly rely on cardiac biomarkers and renal function; however, the systemic nature of ATTR suggests that additional organ involvement may provide valuable prognostic information.
The purpose of this prospective observational study is to investigate liver dysfunction and coagulation abnormalities in patients with wild-type or hereditary ATTR-CA and to evaluate their potential role as novel markers of disease severity and progression. Patients with ATTR-CA will be compared with an age-matched control population with non-amyloid hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Clinical, laboratory, echocardiographic, hepatic ultrasound, liver stiffness, and coagulation parameters will be assessed at baseline and during follow-up. The study will also evaluate changes in these parameters after 6 and 12 months of treatment with tafamidis.
The results may improve the understanding of cardio-hepatic interactions in ATTR-CA and identify new tools for disease staging and longitudinal monitoring.
Description
Transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA) is an increasingly recognized cause of heart failure and left ventricular hypertrophy in older adults. Although several prognostic models have been developed for ATTR-CA, most currently available staging systems are based primarily on cardiac biomarkers and renal function. These approaches may not fully capture the systemic nature of the disease.
Emerging evidence suggests that liver dysfunction and coagulation abnormalities may represent underexplored manifestations of ATTR-CA. Liver involvement may result from direct amyloid deposition, chronic venous congestion related to heart failure, or a combination of both mechanisms. Similarly, alterations in coagulation pathways may reflect hepatic dysfunction and systemic disease burden.
LICA2025 is a single-center, prospective, observational study designed to evaluate biochemical and instrumental markers of liver function and coagulation in patients with wild-type or hereditary ATTR-CA followed at the University Hospital G. Martino of Messina, Italy. A control population with non-amyloid hypertrophic cardiomyopathy will be enrolled for comparison.
The primary objective is to compare liver and coagulation parameters between ATTR-CA patients and controls. Secondary objectives include evaluating the relationship between hepatic/coagulation abnormalities and cardiac disease severity, assessing changes after 6±1 and 12±1 months of tafamidis therapy, and exploring potential interactions between liver dysfunction and coagulation disturbances.
Participants will undergo clinical evaluation, laboratory testing, electrocardiography, transthoracic echocardiography, hepatic ultrasound, liver elastography (FibroScan), and coagulation assessment according to the study protocol. Follow-up evaluations will be performed at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months.
The study aims to identify novel biomarkers and imaging parameters that may improve disease staging, risk stratification, and longitudinal monitoring in transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Written informed consent obtained prior to study participation.
- Diagnosis of wild-type or hereditary transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA) according to current European recommendations.
- Ability to comply with study procedures and follow-up visits.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Age younger than 18 years.
- Severe liver dysfunction due to causes other than amyloidosis.
- Inability to comply with study procedures because of language barriers, cognitive impairment, or severe psychiatric disorders.
- Comorbidities associated with life expectancy less than 12 months.
- Active alcohol or substance abuse.
- For coagulation analyses: congenital coagulation disorders, thrombotic disorders, active malignancy, or sepsis.
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
