Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment of AL Cardiac Amyloidosis

To discuss the recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of light chain cardiac amyloidosis (AL-CM).

The improved recognition of AL-CM is primarily driven by improved diagnostic techniques. Cardiac MRI has emerged as a sensitive modality for the diagnosis of AL-CM. Positron emission tomography (PET) with a whole host of amyloid fibril-binding tracers has tremendous promise. On the therapeutics front, better anti-plasma cells therapies are in clinical use or under investigation, and a new front of fibril depleters are opening the doors for targeting organ recovery by promoting the resorption of amyloid fibrils.

AL-CM results in significant morbidity and mortality mainly due to delayed diagnosis and lack of therapies that acutely address the underlying organ dysfunction. The combination of improved disease detection with improved therapy promises to continue transforming AL-CM into either chronic treatable or curable disease.