Contact: Sam Roth, sroth@acc.org,

WASHINGTON (Jan 23, 2023) -

The 2023 ACC Expert Consensus Decision Pathway on Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Care for the Patient With Cardiac Amyloidosis will publish online on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. ET in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Cardiac amyloidosis is a rare disease which occurs when there is a buildup of amyloid fibrils (an abnormal protein) in the heart tissue; if left untreated, cardiac amyloidosis can cause heart failure. It is associated with either immunoglobulin light-chain aggregations (AL-CM) or transthyretin (ATTR-CM). Cardiac amyloidosis is often underdiagnosed, and many individuals will see more than five physicians before receiving a correct diagnosis. Given the rarity of cardiac amyloidosis, the Expert Consensus Decision Pathway writing committee highlights the critical importance of recognizing and diagnosing cardiac amyloidosis at an early stage to treat the affected individual and allow for the most favorable outcome. The document lays out a diagnostic algorithm, including the role of the monoclonal protein screen, bone scintigraphy and/or genetic testing and/or biopsy.

The document focuses on the need for a multidisciplinary approach to individual care. Dedicated experts across diverse medical specialties are vastly important to address and optimize the full range of care levels. Individuals with cardiac amyloidosis often have extracardiac manifestations involving the kidney, nervous system, gastrointestinal tract and musculoskeletal systems that can lead to significant morbidity and impairment to quality of life. In addition, the writing committee includes steps to implement a treatment plan with specific attention to the roles of traditional heart failure medications and arrhythmia management.

The document was endorsed by the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine, the Heart Failure Society of America and the International Society of Amyloidosis. The American Academy of Neurology affirms the value of the statement.

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) is the global leader in transforming cardiovascular care and improving heart health for all. As the preeminent source of professional medical education for the entire cardiovascular care team since 1949, ACC credentials cardiovascular professionals in over 140 countries who meet stringent qualifications and leads in the formation of health policy, standards and guidelines. Through its world-renowned family of JACC Journals, NCDR registries, ACC Accreditation Services, global network of Member Sections, CardioSmart patient resources and more, the College is committed to ensuring aworld where science, knowledge and innovation optimize patient care and outcomes. Learn more at www.ACC.org or follow @ACCinTouch.

The ACC’s family of JACC Journals rank among the top cardiovascular journals in the world for scientific impact. The flagship journal, the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) — and family of specialty journals consisting of JACC: Advances, JACC: Asia, JACC: Basic to Translational Science, JACC: CardioOncology, JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging, JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions, JACC: Case Reports, JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology and JACC: Heart Failure — pride themselves on publishing the top peer-reviewed research on all aspects of cardiovascular disease. Learn more at JACC.org.

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