• Early detection and accurate diagnosis are essential for optimising clinical management and improving outcomes in patients with amyloidosis
• The National Amyloidosis Centre has a range of advanced diagnostic techniques to confirm the presence of amyloidosis in a person
• Investigations may include SAP scintigraphy, cardiac MRI scans, DPD scans and genetic testing
• Accurate subtyping enables tailored therapeutic strategies, which are key to effective disease management

Speakers

Emily Dixon, Principal Genetic Counsellor
Darren Foard, Lead AL Amyloidosis Clinical Nurse Specialist
Professor Philip Hawkins, Consultant Physician; Clinical Director; Founder of NAC
David Hutt, Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Dr Ana Martinez Naharro, Consultant Cardiologist
Dr Tamer Rezk, Consultant Nephrologist
Dr Dorota Rowczenio, Head of Genetic Service
Angelique Smit, Lead Clinical and Research Nurse

• Early detection and diagnosis are key for improving outcomes in people with amyloidosis
• There are 3 major types of amyloidosis seen at the NAC, each requiring specialised treatment
• The NAC processes over 2500 cases of amyloidosis per year and offers a holistic approach to managing amyloidosis, including genetic counselling

Speakers

Christine Chiti, Clinical TTR Nurse Specialist
Emily Dixon, Principal Genetic Counsellor
Professor Marianna Fontana, Deputy Clinical and Research Lead
Janet Gilbertson, Head of Histology; Proteomic Service and Laboratory Manager
Professor Julian Gillmore, NAC Research Lead
Professor Philip Hawkins, Consultant Physician; Clinical Director; Founder of NAC
Dr Yousuf Razvi, Clinical Research Fellow
Angelique Smit, Lead Clinical and Research Nurse
Dr Tamer Rezk, Consultant Nephrologist
Professor Ashu Wechalekar, Laboratory Director and Consultant Haematologist
Dr Carol Whelan, Consultant Cardiologist

Speakers:

Professor Julian Gillmore, Centre Head, Centre for Amyloidosis, University College London, The National Amyloidosis Centre, London

Dr Tamer Rezk, Academic Consultant Nephrologist, University College London, London

View the BJC Amyloidosis Hub

Speakers:

Dr Sarah Birkhoelzer, Heart Failure and Imaging Fellow, University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust, Bournemouth

Professor Marianna Fontana, Deputy Clinical and Research Lead, National Amyloidosis Centre, London

View the BJC Amyloidosis Hub

Dr Holly Morgan, Clinical Lecturer and Interventional Cardiology Fellow, King’s College London
Dr Julia Kenkre, Consultant in Metabolic Medicine, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

Learning objectives

• Why Lp(a) is gaining clinical importance, and how elevated Lp(a) levels can influence cardiovascular risk
• Best practice for measuring Lp(a) levels including who should be tested and how results can guide management strategies

Podcast

To listen to the podcast version, click here

References

1. Mebazaa A et al. Lancet 2022;400:1938–52

• To understand the prevalence of coexisting cardiovascular and kidney disease
• To provide guidance on detecting cardiovascular or kidney disease, and when to refer such patients for specialist care
• To describe the similarities and differences between guidelines on the management of cardiovascular and kidney disease
• To discuss the role of pharmacological treatment options in reducing both cardiovascular and renal risk

Speakers

Dr Jemima Scott NIHR Doctoral Research Fellow and Specialty Trainee in renal medicine, University of Bristol and North Bristol NHS Trust
Professor Chris Gale Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine and Honorary Consultant Cardiologist, University of Leeds and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Learning module instructions

This BJC TV Learning module has a recommended award of 1 CPD credit for completion (1 hour of learning).
Completion requires a score of at least 80%. If less time is spent learning, then you should claim a reduced credit value.
After you have successfully completed the test you will be able to download your certificate.

References:

1. Entresto (sacubitril/valsartan) Summary of Product Characteristics. Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/15041/smpc (accessed February 2025)
2. Eplerenone Summary of Product Characteristics. Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/3666/smpc (accessed February 2025)
3. NICE. Cardiovascular disease: risk assessment and reduction, including lipid modification [NG238]. December 2023. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng238/chapter/Recommendations (accessed February 2025)
4. NICE. Chronic kidney dissease: Scenario: Management of chronic kidney disease. September 2024. Available at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/chronic-kidney-disease/management/management-of-chronic-kidney-disease/ (accessed February 2025)
5. Saeed D et al. Cureus. 2023;15:e51362
6. Song JH et al. BMC Nephrology. 2023;24:289

• Understand secondary prevention measures to implement to reduce the risk of further events in patients with established disease
• Obtain an overview of the pertinent lifestyle and medical intervention strategies available to improve outcomes
• Recognise the importance of personalised approaches to treatment to improve engagement and adherence
• Understand engaging with older patients around technology and tools they can use to maximise these resources

Speakers

Gayle Campbell Lead Heart Failure Pharmacist, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
Professor Pardeep Jhund Professor of Cardiology and Epidemiology and Honorary Consultant Cardiologist, University of Glasgow

Learning module instructions

This BJC learning module has a recommended award of 1 CPD credit for completion (1 hour of learning). Completion requires a score of at least 75%. If less time is spent learning then you should claim a reduced credit value. After you have successfully completed the test you will be able to download your certificate.

References

1. McDonagh TA et al. Eur Heart J. 2021;42:3599–3726
2. Mebazaa A et al. Lancet. 2022;400:1938–1952
3. NICE. Chronic heart failure in adults: diagnosis and management. 2018. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng106/resources/chronic-heart-failure-in-adults-diagnosis-and-management-pdf-66141541311685 (accessed January 2025)

• Peripheral arterial and aortic disease
• Elevated blood pressure and hypertension
• Chronic coronary syndromes
• Atrial fibrillation

Speakers

Dr Paul Foley, Cardiologist, The Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Professor Terry McCormack, Professor of Primary Care Cardiovascular Medicine; Immediate Past President of British and Irish Hypertension Society; Institute of Clinical and Applied Health Research, Hull York Medical School; Whitby Group Practice, Whitby

• Structural heart disease
• Atrial fibrillation
• Heart failure management

Speakers

Dr Sarah Birkhoelzer, Cardiology Registrar and Clinical Research Fellow, Oxford
Dr Aaron Henry, NIHR Academic Clinical Fellow, Oxford; Cardiology Research Fellow, Jersey