Cardiac amyloidosis: a review of the literature and a practical approach for the clinicians

Abstract

Amyloidosis is a group of progressive and devastating disorders resulting from misfolded proteins extracellular deposition into tissues. When deposition of fibrils occurs in cardiac tissues, this systemic disease can lead to a very poor prognosis. In this review, we focused on the most common types of cardiac amyloidosis and their treatments. Early diagnosis remains critically important, and here we reviewed the diagnostic methods adopted starting from the non-invasive imaging techniques to more invasive approaches, and the typing of precursor proteins. Typing the different misfolding proteins is mandatory since therapy differs accordingly and thus guiding therapy. We highlighted the most updated and recent treatment strategies to cure amyloidosis.