A potential alternative to biopsy for diagnosing cardiac transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis
Once used to diagnose myocardial infarction, technetium-99m pyrophosphate (Tc 99m PYP) imaging may be reborn as an alternative to cardiac biopsy for diagnosing transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis in some patients. An important piece to unlocking the cardiac amyloidosis puzzle came when a few studies found Tc 99m PYP imaging could be used to determine whether patients had the disease. Until then, the only way to diagnose the disease was with a heart biopsy. Interest in the test is growing as new therapies show promise in late-stage clinical trials, suggesting possibilities for treating the under-recognized condition.
Read the full article on Cardiovascular Business.