Cardiac Amyloidosis: Overcoming the Gap between Recognition and Effective Management

Abstract

Introduction: Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is a rare condition caused by the accumulation of amyloid proteins in the heart, resulting in impaired cardiac function. CA is often underdiagnosed due to its nonspecific clinical presentation and lack of awareness about the disease. This article aims to understand the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of CA. Methodology: A systematic review was conducted using databases such as Scielo and PubMed, with the descriptors "Amyloidosis" AND "Cardiovascular System," yielding 3306 studies, of which 23 were selected for better addressing the chosen topic and being published in English or Portuguese. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to ensure the quality of the selected studies. Results: CA can be caused by different types of amyloidosis, with light-chain amyloidosis (AL) and transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) being the most common. Symptoms are nonspecific and include dyspnea, fatigue, and edema, often leading to diagnostic errors. Diagnosis involves a combination of methods, including imaging tests and tissue biopsy. Treatment aims to slow disease progression and alleviate symptoms, tailored according to the type and stage of CA. Conclusion: CA represents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge due to its varied clinical presentation and complexity. Awareness of the signs and symptoms of the disease is crucial for early diagnosis and better patient management. Continuous development of clinical and therapeutic approaches is necessary to optimize outcomes for patients affected by this debilitating condition.