Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 26, 2026

A Porcine Heterotopic Heart Transplantation Protocol for Delivery of Therapeutics to a Cardiac Allograft
08:30

A Porcine Heterotopic Heart Transplantation Protocol for Delivery of Therapeutics to a Cardiac Allograft

Published on: February 14, 2022

Amyloid diseases of the heart: current and future therapies

S W Dubrey1, R L Comenzo

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Hillingdon Hospital, Pield Heath Road, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB8 3NN, UK. simon.dubrey@thh.nhs.uk

QJM : Monthly Journal of the Association of Physicians
|January 7, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Amyloidosis, a heart disease from protein buildup, has many types. Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment of these amyloid cardiomyopathies.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Internal Medicine
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Amyloid diseases arise from over 23 precursor proteins.
  • Cardiologists commonly see light chain (AL) amyloidosis, senile systemic amyloidosis (SSA), and hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis.
  • Secondary amyloidosis (AA) is prevalent in developing nations due to infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the diverse spectrum of amyloid cardiomyopathies.
  • To highlight the importance of accurate amyloid typing for treatment.
  • To discuss various therapeutic approaches for cardiac amyloidosis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of amyloidosis types and their cardiac manifestations.
  • Analysis of clinical outcomes based on amyloid type and disease extent.
  • Discussion of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Main Results:

  • Heart involvement in amyloidosis can have severe consequences.
  • Clinical outcomes vary significantly based on amyloid type and systemic spread.
  • Non-transthyretin variants and isolated atrial amyloid have different clinical implications.

Conclusions:

  • Precise determination of amyloid type is essential for guiding therapy.
  • Effective management of amyloid cardiomyopathies requires understanding the specific amyloid protein involved.
  • This review outlines critical treatment approaches for various amyloidosis types affecting the heart.

More Related Videos

Large Animal Model for Evaluating the Efficacy of the Gene Therapy in Ischemic Heart06:07

Large Animal Model for Evaluating the Efficacy of the Gene Therapy in Ischemic Heart

Published on: September 2, 2021

Percutaneous Contrast Echocardiography-guided Intramyocardial Injection and Cell Delivery in a Large Preclinical Model14:24

Percutaneous Contrast Echocardiography-guided Intramyocardial Injection and Cell Delivery in a Large Preclinical Model

Published on: January 21, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care01:29

Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care

Managing cardiomyopathy involves addressing underlying or precipitating causes, treating heart failure with medications, and implementing dietary changes and a balanced exercise and rest regimen.Lifestyle ModificationsCardiomyopathy patients should adopt a low-sodium diet to reduce fluid retention and manage heart failure. A personalized exercise and rest plan helps maintain physical fitness without overstraining the heart. Avoiding alcohol and tobacco is essential to prevent further damage to...
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy01:30

Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a progressive myocardial disorder characterized by ventricular chamber dilation and contractile dysfunction.EtiologyVarious factors can cause DCM, including hypertension and heavy alcohol intake, which contribute to the weakening and enlargement of the heart muscle. Viral infections, such as Coxsackievirus B, adenoviruses, and influenza, can lead to DCM by causing inflammation and damage to heart tissue. Certain chemotherapeutic agents, including daunorubicin,...
Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies01:22

Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies

Additional therapies for treating patients with heart failure (HF) may include procedural interventions, supplemental oxygen, the management of sleep disorders, and nutritional therapy.Procedural InterventionsImplantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator: For patients at risk of life-threatening arrhythmias due to severe left ventricular dysfunction, an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) can detect and terminate these arrhythmias, preventing sudden cardiac death and improving survival rates.
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
Myocarditis III: Medical Management01:14

Myocarditis III: Medical Management

Myocarditis: Comprehensive Medical ManagementMyocarditis, the heart muscle inflammation, requires a comprehensive medical management strategy that addresses the underlying cause, provides supportive care, manages symptoms, and reduces cardiac workload.Infections and Autoimmune CausesAdminister appropriate antimicrobial therapy when an infectious agent causes myocarditis. For instance, penicillin treats infections caused by Group A Streptococcus. In cases where autoimmune processes are...
Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System01:26

Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System

The activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) contributes to cardiac remodeling, and inhibiting the RAAS is a pharmacological target in heart failure management. As a result, neurohumoral modulation is a crucial treatment principle for managing heart failure. This approach involves using medications like ACE inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), β-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), and neutral...