Definition
Cardiac amyloidosis is a disorder caused by deposits of an abnormal protein in the heart tissue, which make it hard for the heart to work properly.
Symptoms
Some patients may have no symptoms.
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Definition
Cardiac amyloidosis is a disorder caused by deposits of an abnormal protein in the heart tissue, which make it hard for the heart to work properly.
Causes
Amyloidosis is the accumulation of clumps of proteins called amyloids in body tissues and organs. The proteins slowly replace normal tissue. There are many forms of amyloidosis.
Cardiac amyloidosis usually occurs during primary amyloidosis, also called AL type amyloidosis. Primary amyloidosis is usually seen in persons with multiple myeloma , a type of cancer.
Cardiac amyloidosis, also called "stiff heart syndrome," occurs when amyloid deposits take the place of normal heart muscle. It is the most typical type of restrictive cardiomyopathy . Patients with cardiac amyloidosis may have changes in the way electrical signals move through the heart. This is called a conduction disturbance.
Secondary amyloidosis, also called AA type, rarely affects the heart. However, a subtype of secondary amyloidosis called senile amyloidosis involves the heart and blood vessels. Senile amyloidosis is caused by overproduction of a protein different ...
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Treatment
You can continue to exercise as long as feel like you can.
Your doctor may tell you to make changes to your diet. This may include salt and fluid restrictions.
Diuretics (water pills) may be given to help the body remove excess fluid. The doctor may tell you to weigh yourself everyday. A weight gain of three or more pounds over 1 or 2 days can mean there is too much fluid in the body.
Digoxin, calcium channel blockers, and beta blockers may be used with caution in patients with atrial fibrillation. However, the dosage must be carefully monitored, since patients with cardiac amyloidosis may be unusually sensitive to any ...
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Other Names
Amyloidosis - cardiac; Primary cardiac amyloidosis - AL type; Secondary cardiac amyloidosis - AA type; Stiff heart syndrome; Senile amyloidosis; Amyloidosis - senile
Possible Complications
- Congestive heart failure
- Atrial fibrillation or ventricular arrhythmias
- Sick sinus syndrome (occasionally)
- Symptomatic cardiac conduction system disease (arrhythmias related to abnormal conduction of impulses through the heart muscle)
- Low blood pressure and dizziness from excessive urination (from medication)
- Increased sensitivity to digoxin with the potential for digoxin toxicity and related arrhythmias
- Ascites (fluid accumulation in the abdomen)
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Outlook (Prognosis)
Cardiac amyloidosis is a long-term (chronic) condition that slowly gets worse. On average, persons with cardiac amyloidosis live less than 1 year.
Exams and Tests
It can be difficult to diagnose cardiac amyloidosis, because the signs are not specific, which means they can be related to a number of different conditions.
The health care provider may hear abnormal sounds in the lung (lung crackles) or a heart murmur when listening to your heart and chest with a stethoscope. This may suggest fluid in the lungs, enlargement of the heart , or other illness. A physical exam may reveal a swollen liver and enlarged neck veins. Blood pressure may be low or may drop when you stand up.
The following tests may be used to help diagnose cardiac amyloidosis:
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References
Zipes DP, Libby P, Bonow RO, Braunwald E, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine , 7th ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2005:1683-1685.
Arora S, Arora A, Makkar RP, Monga A. Stiff heart syndrome. CMAJ . 2003 Jun 24;168(13):1690-1.
Kholova I, Kautzner J. Current treatment in cardiac amyloidosis. Curr Treat Options Cardiovasc Med . 2006 Dec;8(6):468-73.
