Our Approach

Our dedicated team of sub-specialists have extensive experience providing individualized care for patients suspected of or diagnosed with cardiac amyloidosis.

What is amyloidosis?

Amyloidosis is an underrecognized cause of heart dysfunction that occurs when an abnormal protein called amyloid deposits in organs throughout the body, including the heart.

There are different types of amyloidosis, but the two most common forms that affect the heart are:

• Transthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis. This is the most common form that occurs either from an inherited mutation in the transthyretin gene (ATTR-mutated) or from normal transthyretin (ATTR wild-type).
• Immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis (AL). This form occurs when the bone marrow overproduces proteins that form amyloid. This form of amyloidosis is similar to multiple myeloma, commonly affecting the heart, kidneys and nervous system.

Amyloidosis can often go undiagnosed because symptoms may be similar to those of other common diseases. Symptoms may include fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, swelling in the ankles and tingling of the hands and feet.

Treatment Options

Treatment of amyloidosis depends on the type of amyloidosis and which organs are affected.

• TTR amyloidosis is treated with medications and, in some cases, heart transplant.
• AL amyloidosis is frequently treated with chemotherapy or autologous stem cell transplant.

Advances in the diagnosis and medical treatment of amyloidosis have improved the outlook of the disease.