The Christ Hospital Health Network offers the region's only clinic dedicated to the treatment of cardiac amyloidosis. Our expert multidisciplinary team provides patients with comprehensive care tailored to manage this rare and potentially life-threatening condition. With our clinic, you can expect a personalized approach, a comprehensive review of your testing results and diagnosis, and access to cutting-edge therapies and clinical trials.
Visits are by appointment only during scheduled clinic hours. If you are a provider looking to refer a patient, a patient with an existing diagnosis, a patient looking for a second opinion, or if you would like more information about our clinic and its services, call us at 859-292-4560. Referrals can be submitted by fax to 859-292-4561.
What is Cardiac Amyloidosis?
Amyloidosis occurs when abnormal deposits of misshapen proteins called amyloids develop in one or more organs of the body – often causing those organs to function improperly. Cardiac amyloidosis occurs when those proteins build up in the tissues of the heart, causing a thickening and stiffness that makes the heart struggle to pump blood to the body. When left untreated, this can lead to serious complications including:
- Heart failure
- Kidney failure
- Arrhythmia – including atrial fibrillation (Afib)
- Stroke
- Sudden cardiac death
The two most common types of cardiac amyloidosis are:
- Transthyretin Amyloidosis (ATTR), which occurs when the transthyretin protein, made primarily in the liver, becomes unstable and misfolds. This may occur as a result of an inherited mutation (hereditary ATTR) or, more commonly as part of the aging process (wild-type ATTR). ATTR primarily affects older adults and can lead to heart failure.
- Light Chain Amyloidosis (AL) occurs when abnormal plasma cells in the bone marrow produce light chains, a type of protein, which misfold and deposit in the heart and other organs. It may be associated with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer.
Risk factors and symptoms of cardiac amyloidosis
There are some known risk factors that could influence your likelihood to develop cardiac amyloidosis. These include:
- Age. Specifically, ATTR is more common in people over the age of 60.
- Genetics. People with a family history of hereditary amyloidosis (HTTR) are at an increased risk.
- Sex. Cardiac amyloidosis is more likely to occur in men.
- Race. Data shows that people of African descent are at a higher risk of carrying a genetic mutation that increases the risk of developing cardiac amyloidosis.
- Other diseases. Certain diseases can increase the risk of developing cardiac amyloidosis, such as multiple myeloma or other plasma cell disorders.
The symptoms of cardiac amyloidosis often mimic those of other heart conditions, making diagnosis a challenge. If you develop new symptoms, or if existing symptoms worsen, you should talk to your doctor. Symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue and weakness
- Irregular heartbeats or arrhythmia
- Swelling, especially in the abdomen, legs, ankles, or feet
- Enlarged veins in the neck
- Chest pain or discomfort
Some common musculoskeletal issues are linked to amyloidosis as well. These include:
- bilateral carpal tunnel surgery
- Spinal stenosis
- Biceps tendon rupture
- Joint replacement surgery
Based on your symptoms, your doctor may order testing to diagnose cardiac amyloidosis or other cardiovascular conditions with similar symptoms. These conditions can be diagnosed through a series of tests including blood and urine tests and a range of cardiovascular imaging options. If the results indicate a diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis, they can refer you to receive expert care from our dedicated clinic.