Senile Cardiac Amyloidosis
Pronunciation: am-uh-LOY-doh-sis
Age-related deposition of wild-type transthyretin amyloid in cardiac tissue, causing restrictive cardiomyopathy in elderly patients.
Full Definition
Senile cardiac amyloidosis, also known as wild-type transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRwt), is an increasingly recognized cause of heart failure in elderly patients, particularly men over 70. The condition involves the deposition of misfolded transthyretin protein in the heart muscle, leading to thickened ventricular walls and restrictive physiology. Diagnosis often requires advanced imaging techniques and may be missed in routine evaluations. The condition was previously considered rare but is now understood to be significantly underdiagnosed in geriatric populations.
Usage
Usage note: Preferred term over 'wild-type TTR amyloidosis' in patient-facing documents.
In Context
- "Nuclear imaging revealed uptake consistent with senile cardiac amyloidosis in this 75-year-old male." — Nuclear cardiology report
- "Senile cardiac amyloidosis should be considered in elderly patients with unexplained heart failure and preserved ejection fraction." — Clinical review article