A case report of isolated cardiac light chain amyloidosis without clinically overt heart failure: an under-recognized presentation

Article Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems

Endomyocardial biopsy in the clinical context: current indications and challenging scenarios

Aldostefano Porcari et al.

Summary: Endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) is a method for diagnosing various cardiac diseases, and recent advances in imaging techniques provide better non-invasive diagnostic methods, which may require redefining the role of EMB.

HEART FAILURE REVIEWS (2023)

Add to Collection

Review Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems

Transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis

Aldostefano Porcari et al.

Summary: Transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA) is a common cause of heart failure and mortality, with advances in diagnosis and treatment making it a condition that clinicians should consider daily. Amyloid fibril formation is caused by age-related failure of homoeostatic mechanisms or mutations. Large-scale studies show an increasing incidence of cardiac amyloidosis, with cardiac involvement being the leading cause of mortality. Early recognition is important for optimal treatment.

CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH (2023)

Add to Collection

Article Oncology

Low QRS Voltages in Cardiac Amyloidosis Clinical Correlates and Prognostic Value

Alberto Cipriani et al.

Summary: LQRSVs are more common in AL CA than in ATTR CA, and they can independently predict CV death. In ATTR CA, LQRSVs can provide additional prognostic accuracy in patients with intermediate risk.

JACC: CARDIOONCOLOGY (2022)

Add to Collection

Article Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems

Diagnosis and treatment of cardiac amyloidosis: a position statement of the ESC Working Group on Myocardial and Pericardial Diseases

Pablo Garcia-Pavia et al.

Summary: Cardiac amyloidosis is a serious infiltrative disease caused by the deposition of amyloid fibrils in the heart, which can be due to genetic variants or acquired conditions. With advances in imaging techniques, non-invasive diagnosis is now possible, showing that cardiac amyloidosis is more common than previously thought. The Working Group on Myocardial and Pericardial Disease has proposed definitions and diagnostic algorithms for cardiac amyloidosis.

EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL (2021)

Add to Collection

Article Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems

Heart Failure Association of the ESC, Heart Failure Society of America and Japanese Heart Failure Society Position statement on endomyocardial biopsy

Petar M. Seferovic et al.

Summary: Endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) is an invasive procedure commonly used for monitoring heart transplant rejection and diagnosing various cardiac disorders. Advances in EMB equipment and techniques have improved diagnostic precision. An expert consensus document provides a comprehensive overview on EMB, covering practical approaches, updated indications, revised surveillance plans, the impact of multimodality imaging, and current global clinical practices.

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HEART FAILURE (2021)

Add to Collection

Review Oncology

AL Amyloidosis: Current Chemotherapy and Immune Therapy Treatment Strategies

Giada Bianchi et al.

Summary: AL amyloidosis is an incurable plasma cell disorder characterized by deposition of misfolded immunoglobulin free light chains in target organs, with cardiac involvement as the most adverse prognostic feature. Early clinical suspicion, rapid tissue diagnosis, and effective treatment are crucial in managing the disease.

JACC: CARDIOONCOLOGY (2021)

Add to Collection

Article Medicine, General & Internal

Daratumumab-Based Treatment for Immunoglobulin Light-Chain Amyloidosis

E. Kastritis et al.

Summary: In patients with newly diagnosed AL amyloidosis, adding daratumumab to bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone resulted in higher rates of hematologic complete response and improved survival outcomes. However, adverse events, including lymphopenia, pneumonia, cardiac failure, and diarrhea, were more common in the daratumumab group. Most deaths were due to amyloidosis-related cardiomyopathy.

NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE (2021)

Add to Collection

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Dexamethasone is associated with early deaths in light chain amyloidosis patients with severe cardiac involvement

Melanie Bezard et al.

Summary: Delaying dexamethasone during the first chemotherapy cycle reduces the number of early deaths without extending survival in patients with cardiac light chain amyloidosis. While dexamethasone is beneficial in the long-term treatment, its initial introduction during treatment may be associated with early cardiac deaths in severe cases, highlighting the importance of considering dosage and timing based on patient severity. Further investigation is needed to understand the impact of dexamethasone in the treatment of AL-CA.

PLOS ONE (2021)

Add to Collection

Article Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems

Diagnosis and treatment of cardiac amyloidosis: a position statement of the ESC Working Group on Myocardial and Pericardial Diseases

Pablo Garcia-Pavia et al.

Summary: Cardiac amyloidosis is a serious and progressive infiltrative disease caused by amyloid fibril deposition in the heart. Advances in imaging techniques and diagnostic algorithms have made it possible to diagnose the condition non-invasively. Monitoring and treating cardiac amyloidosis are important in bridging the gap between research advances and clinical practice.

EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL (2021)

Add to Collection

Review Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems