What is cardiac amyloidosis
Table of Contents
L’cardiac amyloidosis it is a pathology characterized by the deposition of abnormal proteins, called amyloid fibrilswithin the muscle tissue of the heart. These deposits make the heart walls stiff and thick, hindering the correct filling of blood and leading, over time, to a condition of heart failure.
Once considered extremely rare, amyloidosis is now diagnosed more frequently thanks to advanced imaging techniques and greater clinical awareness.
The two main forms
Not all amyloidoses are the same. The forms that most often affect the heart are:
- Transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR): It may be linked to aging (“wild-type” or until now) or to an inherited genetic mutation.
- AL amyloidosis (from light chains): It is a form linked to a blood problem (plasma cell dyscrasia) and requires rapid and multidisciplinary intervention.
Symptoms: what to pay attention to?
The signals ofcardiac amyloidosis they may be nuanced and common to other pathologies. The most frequent include:
- Breathlessness (dyspnea), especially during an effort.
- Persistent tiredness and weakness.
- Swelling in the legs and ankles (edema).
- Non-cardiac symptoms: In many patients, amyloidosis also manifests itself with carpal tunnel syndrome (often bilateral), tingling in the hands and feet, or digestive problems.
Excellence in Diagnosis and Treatment in Auxological
At Auxologico, patients with suspected amyloidosis can count on integrated diagnostic paths which include:
New Therapeutic Hopes
Today, amyloidosis is no longer a disease without cure. There are innovative drugs, such as transthyretin stabilizers hey gene silencerscapable of significantly slowing down the progression of the disease and improving the quality of life.
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Cardiac color dopplegraphy at rest
The Auxologico Cardiomyopathy Center
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Heart failure
Diagnostic imaging
date: 2026-02-09 21:11:00
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