Abstract

MARIN, Jorge E et al. Cardiac amyloidosis. Rev. Col. Cardiol. [online]. 2005, vol.11, n.8, pp.389-396. ISSN 0120-5633.

Amyloidosis is an infiltrative systemic disease that may involve the heart. It has a genetic etiology and is an important cause of restrictive cardiomyopathy. It may involve all heart structures but has a great affinity for myocardial tissue. Diastolic dysfunction is the most early and frequent manifestation, although due to myocardial infiltration, it may progress to systolic dysfunction, resulting in a rigid heart syndrome. There is also an involvement of the conducting system. The condition may be suspected in any patient with cardiomegalia of unexplained cause. Among the diagnostic tools, the voltage/mass relation may be kept in mind. Endomyocardial biopsy is useful although it is not always positive through histological verification. The treatment consists of supportive measures and selected cases may benefit with hepatic transplantation.

Keywords : restrictive cardiomyopathy; cardiac amyloidosis; pacemakers.

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