Cardiac Amyloidosis Program

Early diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis gives the best chance for optimal results. Unfortunately, individuals with cardiac amyloidosis may be experiencing vague (not specific) symptoms, and the diagnosis may be mistaken for other conditions like heart disease due to high blood pressure. Weill Cornell Medicine’s Cardiac Amyloidosis Program offers specialized expertise in caring for people with heart failure due to cardiac amyloidosis.

What is Cardiac Amyloidosis?

Cardiac amyloidosis is a serious condition that develops when amyloid protein builds up in your heart, interfering with its ability to pump blood effectively. The buildup of amyloid deposits in your heart can lead to heart failure.

There are two main types of cardiac amyloidosis, based on the type of protein involved. One type is ght chain also known as A.L. amyloidosis. The other type is Transthyretin amyloidosis or ATTR.

Multidisciplinary Care for Cardiac Amyloidosis

At Weill Cornell Medicine, our multidisciplinary group of doctors includes cardiologists, hematologists, neurologists and others who work together to create a comprehensive, patient-centered treatment plan for patients with cardiac amyloidosis.

Our diagnostic tools include cardiac MRIs, nuclear scans and cardiac biopsies.

Your treatment will depend on the type of amyloidosis you have. These include:

●      Medication therapies: Chemotherapy and oral medications

●      Pacemakers: Many patients with ATTR develop a slowing of the electrical system in the heart and require a permanent pacemaker. The pacemaker enables the heart to beat as it should.

●      Heart transplantation: In rare cases, a person with cardiac amyloidosis that is not effectively controlled with other therapies may need a heart transplant.

●      New cardiac amyloidosis therapies through research: Researchers at both Columbia University and Weill Cornell Medicine are partnering to lead late-phase clinical trials of new therapies for cardiac amyloidosis, to develop more effective patient options.