Amyloidosis is a disease that occurs when a substance known as amyloid builds up in tissues and organs. Amyloid is formed from the breakdown of normal or abnormal proteins. The amyloid that is derived from these breakdown products deposits between the cells of one or more of the body's organs and interferes with the way the organs work. Deposits of amyloid in the heart cause the disease known as cardiac amyloidosis: as the deposits increase, the heart gets increasingly stiff and eventually the pumping function deteriorates. There are several types of amyloidosis, and the different forms are derived from different proteins. It is extremely important to determine the specific type of amyloid causing the disease, because each type of amyloidosis progresses at a different rate, and the treatment differs greatly for each form. Although amyloid can affect many organs of the body simultaneously, this overview specifically addresses the consequences and treatment of amyloid deposition in the heart.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Quarta et al. (2012) studied this question.