Abstract

Background: Upto 30% of patients with multiple myeloma have AL amyloidosis and cardiac involvement is associated with worse outcomes in these patients. Traditional screening modalities including EKG, echocardiography and biomarkers have limited value. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of “screening” cardiac MRI in a large multiple myeloma population at a large specialized referral center. Methods & Results: 164 consecutive patients with multiple myeloma who underwent cardiac MRI between 6/2005 and 10/2011 were enrolled in this study. Primary endpoint was all cause death. Clinical, EKG, echocardiographic, biomarker and MRI predictors for death were analyzed. Mean age of population was 63+10 years, 40% females and 16% African Americans. 30% of the population had MRI evidence of cardiac involvement. There were 26 patients who had biopsy proven systemic amyloidosis, of whom 62% showed cardiac involvement on MRI. 81% patients with confirmed cardiac amyloidosis on endomyocardial biopsy had typical MR pattern of cardiac involvement. During a median follow up period of 702 days (mean 1019 (950) days), there were 59 deaths (36%). Amyloid pattern on cardiac MRI (OR 2.19), elevated BNP and increased LV wall thickness on MRI were significant predictors of mortality . (All p<0.05) Conclusions: This is the largest study to date evaluating the role of cardiac MRI in multiple myeloma patients with suspected cardiac amyloidosis. Cardiac MRI is a clinically robust tool for risk stratification of this subset of patients.

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