Current treatment in cardiac amyloidosis

Involvement of the heart is a common finding in amyloidosis. The heart is usually infiltrated by amyloid fibrils in primary amyloidosis and age-related forms of amyloidosis, less commonly in transthyretin familial amyloidosis, and rarely in secondary amyloidosis. The most common clinical presentation is restrictive cardiomyopathy with right-sided heart failure. The second most frequent presentation is congestive heart failure due to systolic dysfunction, followed by arrhythmias and orthostatic hypotension. The diagnosis of amyloidosis requires tissue sample confirmation; at present, Congo red staining in polarized light is the diagnostic method of choice. The characterization of protein fibril type by immunohistochemistry or biochemistry is essential for patient prognosis and treatment. The therapeutic approach consists of specific treatment of amyloidosis and supportive treatment for cardiac-related symptoms. The treatment depends on the type of amyloidosis and the stage of disease. The mainstay of supportive treatment of cardiac failure is diuretic therapy. Primary amyloidosis treatment protocol includes melphalan and prednisone chemotherapy. Heart transplantation is only a palliative treatment. Stem cell transplantation is an emerging treatment alternative. Combination therapy of melphalan and stem cell transplantation has been shown to be a promising treatment strategy. Secondary amyloidosis requires aggressive treatment of the associated inflammatory and neoplastic process. Age-related (senile) amyloidosis benefits from supportive cardiac treatment when applicable. Transthyretin amyloidosis, the most common cardiac hereditary amyloidosis, is treated by liver or combined liver-heart transplantation. New therapies based on chemical and immunologic reaction with amyloid or its precursor are under intensive development. Copyright © 2006 by Current Science Inc.