An Indirect Test to Assess Risk of Cardiac Transthyretin Amyloidosis

In this study, researchers identified that a specific blood protein named retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) can be used to determine the likelihood of ATTR amyloidosis in a patient with congestive heart failure. In addition the research team developed a mathematical calculator that incorporates RBP4 and other commonly ordered clinical tests that can be used to estimate the probability of ATTR amyloidosis in a given patient. An important advantage of this algorithm is that it can be used in the context of a doctor's office visit at the point-of-care. According to the researchers, this discovery could guide clinical decision making and increase recognition of this disease. Since many new drug therapies are in various stages of development now for ATTR amyloidosis, recognition and accurate diagnosis is essential to get a patient on the correct treatment. Link: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-02/bumc-otd020717.php
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs