Amyloidosis of the heart: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac amyloidosis is characterized by amyloid fibril aggregation due to misfolded circulating proteins and their deposition in the heart, leading to cardiac damage and dysfunction. Given cardiac amyloidosis is associated with a poor prognosis without treatment, early diagnosis and management are critical to increase survival from the disease. AREAS COVERED: This article provides an overview of the disease process, diagnostic modalities, and therapies for cardiac amyloidosis. EXPERT OPINION: Recent technological advances have led to the development of reliable and accurate diagnostic modalities for identifying cardiac amyloidosis. Recent introduction of novel disease-modifying therapies for cardiac amyloidosis has resulted in improvements in the management and prognosis of the disease.