title: Transthyretin Cardiac Amyloidosis in Older Americans.
abstract: Wild-type transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTRwt), formerly called senile cardiac amyloidosis (SCA), is almost exclusively a disorder of older adults. As the population ages, the diagnosis of ATTRwt will increase, making it the most common form of cardiac amyloidosis. An important precondition to reduce underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis is to maintain a high index of suspicion for cardiac amyloidosis. Several clues can be gleaned from the clinical history, physical exam, electrocardiography, and noninvasive imaging techniques. Nuclear scintigraphy agents using99mTc-phosphate derivatives combined with assessment for monoclonal proteins are eliminating the need for tissue confirmation in ATTR. Morbidity and mortality from ATTRwt cardiac amyloid is high and the emergence of numerous therapies based on a biologic understanding of the pathophysiology of this condition, including drugs to inhibit the synthesis of TTR, stabilize TTR, and degrade or extract amyloid, provides new hope for those afflicted. This review briefly covers the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and clinical manifestations, as well as diagnostic strategies and treatment, of ATTR in older adults.
authors: Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York.
authors: Danielle L
authors: DL
authors: Brunjes
authors: Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York.
authors: Adam
authors: A
authors: Castano
authors: Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York.
authors: Autumn
authors: A
authors: Clemons
authors: Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York.
authors: Jonah
authors: J
authors: Rubin
authors: Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York. Electronic address: msm10@cumc.columbia.edu.
authors: Mathew S
authors: MS
authors: Maurer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D028227:Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis; diagnostic strategies; geriatric heart failure