Serum Cardiac Troponins and N-Terminal Pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide: A Staging System for Primary Systemic Amyloidosis

PURPOSE: Primary systemic amyloidosis (AL) is a multisystemic disorder resulting from an underlying plasma cell dyscrasia. There is no formal staging system for AL, making comparisons between studies and treatment centers difficult. Our group previously identified elevated serum cardiac troponin T (cTnT) as the most powerful predictor of overall survival. Others have reported that N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a valuable prognostic marker. We sought to develop a staging system for patients with AL. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two hundred forty-two patients with newly diagnosed AL who were seen at the Mayo Clinic between April 1979 and November 2000, and who had echocardiograms and stored…

• MF
  Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• NC
  National Cancer Institute

  Awards: CA 62242, 62242