Cardiac Amyloidosis Treatment

Amyloids are plaques of protein by product. When this amyloids accumulate on the heart muscles, affects the function of the heart. This condition is called cardiac amyloidosis.

The symptom of cardiac amyloidosis is same as that of heart failure. Your doctor performs cardiac biopsy or technetium pyrophosphate scan to confirm cardiac amyloidosis.

There is no specific treatment for cardiac amyloidosis. The treatment is given to control or stop the protein build up on the heart muscles.

The type of treatment depends upon the type of amyloid. Medicines used are calcium channel blockers, beta blockers, digoxin. Your doctor may use other treatments such as – • Chemotherapy • Anti-inflammatory medicine • Pacemakers • Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator • Heart transplant (when the heart function is very poor)

With the advancing skill and technology, people with cardiac amyloidosis can survive for several years after diagnosis.

Your doctor may recommend the following tests – • CT scan of chest or abdomen • Echocardiogram • Electrocardiogram • Magnetic resonance imaging • Nuclear heart scan • Coronary angiography • Positron emission tomography • Cardiac biopsy (confirmatory diagnostic tool)

The condition may be genetic or may result from bone cancer or blood cancer or diseases that may cause inflammation.

Yes, cardiac amyloidosis is common in men when compared to women. The condition usually affects men more than 40 years of age.

Complications of cardiac amyloidosis may be - • Congestive heart failure • Fluid build-up in abdomen (ascites) • Low blood pressure • Atrial fibrillation or ventricular arrhythmias

Life expectancy of a person with cardiac amyloidosis depends on – • Type of amyloid • Stage of diagnosis • The portion of the organs involved