Regression of Myocardial<sup>99m</sup>Tc-DPD Uptake After Tafamidis Treatment of Cardiac Transthyretin Amyloidosis
Μαρία Παπαθανασίου, Lukas Kessler, Frank M. Bengel, Aiste‐Monika Jakstaite, David Kersting, Zohreh Varasteh, Peter Luedike, Alexander Carpinteiro, Ken Herrmann, Tienush Rassaf, Christoph Rischpler
Abstract
Cardiac transthyretin amyloidosis is an infiltrative cardiomyopathy with high mortality. To date, there are no specific biomarkers to directly assess disease activity and response to specific treatments. Our aim was to evaluate scintigraphic changes after treatment with the transthyretin stabilizer tafamidis. <b>Methods:</b> We included patients who had undergone <sup>99m</sup>Tc-3,3-diphosphono-1,2-propanodicarboxylic acid (<sup>99m</sup>Tc-DPD) scintigraphy before tafamidis initiation and after at least 9 mo. Tracer activity was assessed visually and quantitatively as SUV<sub>max</sub>. <b>Results:</b> The study included 14 patients who were on tafamidis for 44 ± 14 mo. We observed regression of Perugini grade in 5 patients, unchanged grade in 9 patients, and regression of mean heart–to–contralateral-lung ratio (<i>P</i> = 0.015) and SUV<sub>max</sub> (<i>P</i> = 0.005). There were no changes in N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide or echocardiographic measures. <b>Conclusion:</b> Treatment with tafamidis results in regression of myocardial <sup>99m</sup>Tc-DPD uptake. <sup>99m</sup>Tc-DPD scintigraphy may provide useful imaging biomarkers to assess response to treatment.