What are the different stages of wild-type ATTR amyloidosis?
Wild-type ATTR (ATTRwt) amyloidosis is staged primarily based on how the heart and kidneys are functioning. Doctors use two key measurements to determine the stage:
- NT-proBNP – a marker that reflects how hard the heart is working (threshold: less than 3,000 Show Full Answer
What are the different stages of wild-type ATTR amyloidosis?
Wild-type ATTR (ATTRwt) amyloidosis is staged primarily based on how the heart and kidneys are functioning. Doctors use two key measurements to determine the stage:
- NT-proBNP – a marker that reflects how hard the heart is working (threshold: less than 3,000 nanograms per liter)
- eGFR – a measure of kidney function (threshold: more than 45 milliliters per minute)
By combining these two values, doctors can place someone into a stage that helps predict how the condition may progress over time. Because wild-type ATTR primarily affects the heart, staging is closely tied to how well the heart is pumping and whether the kidneys are being impacted as a result.
The stages help doctors:
- Understand how far the condition has progressed
- Estimate likely outcomes (prognosis)
- Guide treatment decisions
It's worth noting that wild-type ATTR tends to develop slowly, and people with this form often have a more favorable outlook compared to other types of amyloidosis. Median survival after diagnosis is around 3.5 years, though this varies based on overall health and the degree of heart involvement.
Talking with a specialist — ideally one experienced in amyloidosis — is the best way to understand what stage applies to a specific situation and what that means for treatment options.
August 7