Comprehensive approach to cardiac amyloidosis care: considerations in starting an amyloidosis program

Heart Fail Rev. 2022 Sep;27(5):1559-1565. doi: 10.1007/s10741-021-10163-0. Epub 2021 Aug 30.

Abstract

Amyloidosis is a multisystem disease which continues to present in later stages due to delayed diagnosis. Once the disease is identified, the coordination of ongoing care and treatment becomes complex and often involves multiple specialists. As knowledge of the disease grows, healthcare providers within institutions have organized to create comprehensive amyloidosis programs to better serve patients in the region. In this review, we present considerations in starting a cardiac amyloidosis program from two institutions that have recently started such programs. Identification of multidisciplinary stakeholders, development of overarching program goals, creation of institutional buy-in, and emphasis on program growth and development are tenets of a successful program. The creation and growth of an amyloidosis program has the potential to raise awareness for the disease and benefit patients and institutions alike.

Keywords: Cardiomyopathy; Heart failure; Immunoglobulin; Light chain; Multiple myeloma; Transthyretin.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amyloidosis* / complications
  • Amyloidosis* / therapy
  • Cardiomyopathies* / complications
  • Cardiomyopathies* / diagnosis
  • Cardiomyopathies* / therapy
  • Humans