Professional
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
cardiac amyloidosis
Heart condition caused by abnormal protein deposits (amyloid) that accumulate in cardiac tissue.
Full Definition
A infiltrative cardiomyopathy resulting from extracellular deposition of misfolded protein fibrils in the myocardium, vessel walls, and cardiac conducting system. The most common types affecting the heart are light chain (AL) amyloidosis and transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis. Pathological features include Congo red-positive deposits with characteristic apple-green birefringence under polarized light, myocyte atrophy, and interstitial expansion. The condition leads to restrictive physiology with preserved ejection fraction but impaired diastolic filling.
Usage
Usage note: Specify amyloid type (AL, ATTR) when identified for treatment planning.
In Context
- "Congo red staining of the endomyocardial biopsy confirmed cardiac amyloidosis." — Pathology consultation
- "Technetium-99m bone scintigraphy suggested transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis." — Nuclear cardiology report
Also known as
amyloid cardiomyopathy
amyloid heart disease
Don't confuse with
restrictive cardiomyopathy
cardiac sarcoidosis