2021 advocacy statements for the role of^99mTc-pyrophosphate scintigraphy in the diagnosis of transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis: A report of the Taiwan society of cardiology and the society of nuclear medicine of the republic of China

Abstract

Transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CM) is an increasingly recognized cause of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Favorable prognosis depends on early diagnosis and correct treatment strategy. Among patients for whom there is a high clinical suspicion of cardiac amyloidosis,99mTc-labeled bone avid scintigraphy including99mTc-pyrophosphate (PYP) scintigraphy may be of diagnostic and prognostic importance. Various international guidelines support the non-biopsy diagnosis of ATTR-CM using99mTc-PYP scintigraphy, yet emphasize the gap in standardization of acquisition and imaging analysis protocols, as well as the appropriateness of its clinical use. Therefore, a joint expert consensus has been reached by the Taiwan Society of Cardiology and the Society of Nuclear Medicine of the Republic of China, to advocate for the application of99mTc-PYP scintigraphy in the diagnosis of ATTR-CM. This article aims to highlight the recommendations on image acquisition, qualitative and quantitative assessments of cardiac99mTc-PYP uptake, and diagnostic algorithms. We hope the implementation of these recommendations in Taiwan will facilitate the process and enhance the diagnostic rate of ATTR-CM.