Hiding in Plain Sight: Cardiac Amyloidosis, an Emerging Epidemic

Publication date: Available online 17 December 2019Source: Canadian Journal of CardiologyAuthor(s): Bennett Di Giovanni, Dakota Gustafson, Mitchell B. Adamson, Diego H. DelgadoAbstractAmyloidosis is a term used to describe a group of rare, heterogenous diseases which ultimately result in the deposition and accumulation of misfolded proteins. These misfolded proteins, known as amyloid, are associated with a variety of precursor proteins which have amyloidogenic potential. Ultimately, the specific type of amyloidosis is dependent on multiple factors including genetic variability of precursor proteins and the tissue/organ in which the amyloid accumulates. Several types of amyloid have a predilection for the heart and thus contribute to cardiac amyloidosis, a major etiology of restrictive cardiomyopathy. Individuals with cardiac amyloidosis present clinically with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. While improved diagnostics and increased awareness of cardiac amyloidosis have led to a relative increase in diagnosis, cardiac amyloidosis remains an under-recognized and underdiagnosed cause of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. It is essential to properly identify cases of cardiac amyloidosis and determine the pathology responsible for the formation of amyloid to appropriately provide management. This review aims to encourage physician awareness of cardiac amyloidosis by focusing on clinical presentation and the distinctions between types. Furthermore, epid...
Source: Canadian Journal of Cardiology - Category: Cardiology Source Type: research