Previous surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis and association with amyloidosis and heart failure - A Danish nationwide study

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac Amyloidosis (CA) is characterised by amyloid fibril deposits causing heart failure (HF). Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is recognised as a potential red flag for CA, but the association remains underexplored in large-scale studies.

METHODS: This nationwide registry-based cohort study in Denmark included subjects ≥60 years with a history of LSS surgery. LSS patients were matched 1:1 with controls by age, sex, ischaemic heart disease, chronic obstructive lung disease, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and atrial fibrillation.

RESULTS: A total of 44,548 LSS surgery patients and matched controls were included (median age 71.5 years, 56.2% women). The cumulative incidence of amyloidosis after 10 years was higher in the LSS group (0.16% vs. 0.08%, HR 2.29 [95% CI 1.46-3.60]) after adjustment for malignancy, hypertension, and liver disease. The cumulative incidence of HF after 10 years was 10.1% in LSS patients compared with 7.5% in controls (HR 1.28 [95% CI 1.22-1.35], p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS: In this nationwide cohort study, LSS surgery was associated with a significantly higher risk of amyloidosis and HF. Prospective studies are warranted to explore the association further.