RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Cardiac amyloidosis
JF Clinical Medicine
JO Clin Med
FD Royal College of Physicians
SP 504
OP 509
DO 10.7861/clinmedicine.5-5-504
VO 5
IS 5
A1 Neil Maredia
A1 Simon G Ray
YR 2005
UL http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/5/5/504.abstract
AB Systemic amyloidosis commonly affects the heart. Indeed, cardiac symptoms may be the first clinical indicator of underlying amyloid deposition. Using two case studies, this article reviews the latest evidence regarding cardiac amyloidosis. The diagnosis of cardiac involvement can be established through imaging with echocardiography and magnetic resonance. Supportive evidence may be gained from biochemical markers such as serum N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). The main clinical consequences of amyloid deposition are cardiac failure and rhythm disturbances. Attempts to cure the underlying disease process with chemotherapy and/or cardiac and/or liver transplantation have had variable results. Stem-cell transplantation is associated with significant mortality in the context of cardiac involvement. Although newer therapeutic agents are emerging, the overall outlook at this time remains poor.