Understanding and recognizing cardiac amyloidosis

Abstract

Cardiac amyloidosis is an infiltrative abnormality that causes myocardial thickening and dysfunction. Historically, it has been underrecognized as a cause of heart failure and was often misdiagnosed. In the past decade, the cardiology community has improved the understanding of the subtypes of these protein-based infiltrates and how they play a role in heart failure. This article reviews the pathophysiology, presentation, diagnosis, and management of cardiac amyloidosis.