About The Study

"From Spine to Heart: Unlocking the Connection for a Healthy Future"

Welcome to our website and thanks for your interest in this study. Here we want to discuss two important conditions: Lumbar Spinal Stenosis and Cardiac Amyloidosis. Don't worry if you've never heard these terms before. We'll explain everything in a way that everyone can understand.

Let’s Talk Amyloidosis

Amyloidosis is the name for a group of diseases caused by the accumulation of misfolded proteins, known as amyloid fibrils, in various parts of the body. Unfortunately, our heart can be affected by these protein deposits because these fibrils can disrupt the normal functioning of organs, joints, and ligaments.

Meet Transthyretin: The Troublemaker

Transthyretin, a protein that has the shape of a four-leaf clover, is responsible for transporting vital substances like Vitamin A and thyroid hormone throughout our body. As we age, this protein can fall apart causing damage to your heart, forming amyloid fibrils and wreaking havoc on our heart. This condition is called transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy, and is abbreviated as ATTR-CA.

Spotting the Signs

Shortness of breath, less ability to exercise, swelling, and sometimes irregular heart rhythms are common symptoms of transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis. Ignoring these signs can be risky, because the condition can become life-threatening if its left untreated.

Good News: Effective Treatments Await!

The silver lining is that we have effective treatments for transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis. These treatments stabilize the protein or limit its production. Starting these medicines early gives the best results and a chance to reclaim your heart health.

Connecting the Dots

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis and Amyloidosis Interestingly, many patients with transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis experience orthopedic issues before heart problems arise. These issues can include carpal tunnel syndrome, joint replacements, tendon tears, and even lumbar or cervical spinal stenosis.

A Window of Opportunity

Since you’ve undergone lumbar spinal stenosis surgery, we have an exciting opportunity for you. Recent discoveries show that up to one in three patients who had this surgery have amyloid deposits in the spinal tissue that was removed during the surgery. With the generous support of the National Institute of Health, we can examine your tissue (that was saved after your surgery) at absolutely no cost to you.

Why It Matters

Amyloid in the spinal tissue could be a sign that amyloidosis might develop in your heart. If you decide to join, and we find amyloid in your spine, we would like to invite you to a clinic visit for free comprehensive cardiac testing.

Your Clinic Visit and Early Detection

During your test clinic visit, you will receive an electrocardiogram (EKG) to assess your heart’s electrical activity, an echocardiogram or ultrasound to examine your heart, and a specialized scan to detect any amyloid in your heart. The best part? All of these tests come at no expense to you.

Facing the Findings

Should we discover amyloid in your heart, there’s no need to worry! We will refer you to a specialist who can prescribe medicine for cardiac amyloidosis. Catching this condition early and starting treatment is very necessary to prevent complications.

In Summary:

A Chance for a Healthy Heart and a Brighter Future We have performed many studies to understand the link between amyloid in the spine and amyloid in the heart, in order to identify potentially life-threatening conditions early. By embracing early therapy, we can hold off the damage of cardiac amyloidosis. This is an opportunity to safeguard your heart health and receive the necessary treatment. The testing is done at no cost to you! Thank you for your time, and let’s join forces to ensure a healthy heart and a future filled with vitality.

By embracing early therapy, we can thwart the adverse effects of cardiac amyloidosis.