[Cardiac pathology of extracardiac origin (II). The cardiac repercussion of amyloidosis and hemochromatosis]

Rev Esp Cardiol. 1997 Nov;50(11):790-801. doi: 10.1016/s0300-8932(97)74682-7.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Although rare, amyloidosis and hemochromatosis are the infiltrative diseases in which the heart is more frequently involved. The most common clinical presentation is heart failure with hemodynamic features of restrictive heart disease in cardiac amyloidosis. The diagnosis is often made because of symptoms of other organ involvement, although sometimes cardiac symptoms may be the initial manifestation. The non-specific clinical presentation and the low prevalence of these cardiomyopathies make the diagnosis difficult if the clinician does not suspect it. Once symptoms develop, the evolution is fast. Usually, the unsatisfactory and ineffective treatment of amyloidosis and hemochromatosis contribute to the poor prognosis. The indication of cardiac transplantation in advanced cases is questionable because of the high recurrence of the illness.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amyloidosis / classification
  • Amyloidosis / complications*
  • Amyloidosis / diagnosis
  • Amyloidosis / pathology
  • Cardiomyopathies / classification
  • Cardiomyopathies / diagnosis
  • Cardiomyopathies / etiology*
  • Cardiomyopathies / pathology
  • Heart Function Tests
  • Hemochromatosis / classification
  • Hemochromatosis / complications*
  • Hemochromatosis / diagnosis
  • Hemochromatosis / pathology
  • Hemodynamics
  • Humans
  • Prognosis