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Published on: June 29, 2022
[Arrhythmias and amyloidosis].
Maria Papathanasiou1, Lara S Schlender2, Victoria Louise Johnson2
1Medizinische Klinik 3-Kardiologie/Angiologie, Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596, Frankfurt, Deutschland. papathanasiou@med.uni-frankfurt.de.
Cardiac amyloidosis frequently causes arrhythmias and conduction system disorders, increasing stroke risk. Management strategies for these complex cardiac conditions are crucial for patient care.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Electrophysiology
Context:
- Cardiac amyloidosis is an infiltrative cardiomyopathy.
- Amyloid deposition in the myocardium leads to heart failure, arrhythmias, and conduction system disorders.
- Atrial fibrillation affects up to 80% of patients, often with normal heart rates due to atrioventricular nodal disease.
Purpose:
- To provide an overview of published data and therapeutic strategies for arrhythmias and conduction system disorders in cardiac amyloidosis.
- To assist clinicians in decision-making for complex clinical scenarios involving cardiac amyloidosis patients.
Summary:
- Cardiac amyloidosis patients commonly experience arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation and conduction system diseases, necessitating interventions such as pacemakers.
- Thromboembolic risk is elevated, with left atrial thrombi found even without atrial fibrillation.
- The role of implantable defibrillators in this population is still debated.
Impact:
- Improved understanding of arrhythmia and conduction abnormalities in cardiac amyloidosis.
- Guidance for clinical decision-making in managing complex cardiac conditions.
- Potential for optimized patient outcomes through evidence-based therapeutic strategies.
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