Screening for Early Heart Amyloidosis in Patients Over 60 Undergoing Spinal Stenosis Surgery Using Ligament Tissue Analysis

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy ATTR-CM, a serious but underdiagnosed heart condition linked to deposits of specific proteins. This study focuses on patients aged 60 and older who have lumbar spinal stenosis requiring surgery, where tissue removed during surgery shows a high burden of these protein deposits. The goal is to validate an early screening method using ligamentum flavum biopsy to detect ATTR-CM before heart symptoms appear. Participants undergo ligamentum flavum biopsy analysis during their spinal surgery to assess the amount of amyloid protein deposits. Those with significant deposits Westermark grade 3 or 4 receive further heart evaluations following established guidelines, including blood tests, ECG, echocardiography, bone scans, and possibly cardiac MRI or biopsy if needed. The study is observational and takes place across multiple centers, following patients prospectively to evaluate this screening approach. During routine cardiology visits, researchers collect detailed information such as demographics, medical history, medications, symptoms, and results of clinically necessary tests. These include microscopic tissue examination, blood tests, electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, and bone scintigraphy. The main outcome measured is the rate at which cardiac amyloidosis is diagnosed early. Participants will be followed for life to monitor their heart health and disease progression with ongoing assessments.

Early Diagnosis of Age-Linked CArdiac TransThyRetin Amyloidosis by Selective Screening in Spinal Stenosis Surgery