Establishment of brain natriuretic peptide - based criteria for evaluating cardiac response to treatment in light chain (AL) amyloidosis

Severity of cardiac involvement remains the leading determinant of survival in light chain (AL) amyloidosis. Until recently, cardiac response after treatment relied on reduction of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). In this study, 94 patients with AL amyloidosis (baseline BNP >= 150 pg/ml) had BNP measured at 6 months following treatment. Median overall survival was not reached for cardiac response (>= 50 pg/ml and >= 30% decrease in BNP), 9 center dot 2 years for cardiac stability (<50 pg/ml and <30% change in BNP) and 2 center dot 8 years for cardiac progression (>= 50 pg/ml or >= 30% increase in BNP) (log-rank P < 0 center dot 001). Cardiac response and progression, as measured by BNP values, are significantly associated with survival in AL amyloidosis.