Preliminary efficacy and safety analysis of tafamidis in post-liver transplant patients with hereditary transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis

Arch Med Res. 2024 Sep 17;56(1):103083. doi: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2024.103083. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Hereditary transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTRv-CA) after liver transplantation remains challenging to treat due to residual amyloid deposits in extrahepatic organs, including the heart. Tafamidis, a transthyretin tetramer stabilizer, has shown promise in the treatment of ATTRv-CA; however, its efficacy and safety after liver transplantation are uncertain. In this preliminary retrospective review, we assessed the efficacy and safety of tafamidis (80 mg) in three ATTRv-CA cases after liver transplantation. Following one year of treatment, all patients experienced improvement in dyspnea, New York Heart Association functional class, brain natriuretic peptide levels, and cardiac troponin T levels. No significant changes in echocardiographic parameters were observed. Notably, no cardiovascular or drug-related adverse events occurred during treatment. Our findings suggest that tafamidis may benefit post-liver transplant patients with ATTRv-CA and warrant further investigation through randomized controlled trials with larger cohorts. This study highlights a potential therapeutic avenue for the management of cardiovascular involvement in this challenging patient population.

Keywords: Cardiac amyloidosis; Hereditary; Liver transplant; Tafamidis; Transthyretin.