Advances in screening for cardiac amyloidosis in seniors with heart failure

Gérond’if, the Île-de-France gerontopôle, launched the ARNOLD study (“Cardiac Amyloidosis Prevalence in Older Subjects Affected by Heart Failure”) this summer on a national scale. This project, led by Professor Olivier Hanon, president of Gérond’if, scientific vice-president of the Union des Gérontopôles de France and head of the geriatrics department at Broca Hospital, aims to better understand the prevalence of Cardiac amyloidosis in people aged over 80 suffering from heart failure, a disease that is still underdiagnosed.

Cardiac amyloidosis, a little-known pathology

Cardiac amyloidosis is a disease whose prevalence increases with age. It is characterized by the accumulation of malformed proteins, called “amyloid fibrils”, in the body. These proteins can be deposited in various organs such as the heart, kidneys, liver, as well as in the gastrointestinal and nervous systems, causing dysfunction of these organs. When they accumulate in the walls of the heart, they cause thickening and stiffness of the heart muscle, causing heart failure. If this disease remains underdiagnosed, it can cause serious complications and compromise the prognosis of patients.

The goals of the ARNOLD study

The ARNOLD study aims to:

• To determine the frequency of cardiac amyloidosis in people aged 80 and over hospitalized for heart failure.
• Identify patients with cardiac amyloidosis early to ensure appropriate care.
• Screening for frailty in patients with cardiac amyloidosis to optimize their care.
• Identify the specific clinical, echocardiographic and biological characteristics of cardiac amyloidosis in these patients.

A rigorous methodology: key to success

Carried out in collaboration with the Union des Gérontopôles de France, this observational, multicenter and prospective study, lasting one year, will include the follow-up of 637 patients recruited in 32 health establishments specializing in geriatrics or cardiology throughout France.

Thanks to a rigorous methodology, we hope to obtain robust results which will improve the management of cardiac amyloidosis in a very elderly geriatric population.

Olivier Hanon, professor and coordinator of the study

The ARNOLD study is a great collaborative adventure between geriatricians and cardiologists with a focus on amyloidosis reference centers to improve the quality of life of elderly people with cardiac amyloidosis.

Prisca Lucas, clinical research project manager at Gérond’if

The results of the ARNOLD study will improve the management of cardiac amyloidosis in elderly people suffering from heart failure. Thanks to earlier and more precise diagnosis, it will be possible to adjust treatments and improve patients’ quality of life.