Amyloidosis is a condition involving the deposition of insoluble proteins within various tissues and organs of the body.

When certain protein monomers unravel into characteristic beta-pleated ribbon structures, partially denatured monomers are formed. These aberrantly folded proteins can act as seeds for recruiting additional monomers and triggering oligomerization. The resulting prefibrilar oligomers continue to elongate, eventually forming mature amyloid fibrils.

These amyloid fibrils are insoluble and can accumulate throughout the body, affecting one or more organs. As a result, the symptoms of amyloidosis depend upon which organs are involved and can be quite variable. In fact, the diagnosis of amyloidosis often starts with the detection of high protein levels in the urine. For proper diagnosis, however, an abdominal fat pad biopsy must be analyzed.

Amyloid proteins in the fat pad biopsy stained with Congo Red dye produce apple-green birefringence under polarized light, allowing for a confirmation of amyloidosis.

In the case of primary, or acute light-chain (AL) amyloidosis, the amyloid protein is derived from kappa or lambda immunoglobulin light chain molecules.

This can be positively identified by serum or urine protein electrophoresis to detect the presence of an M-spike. To further characterize the nature of the aberrant immunoglobulin, immunofixation is generally used to demonstrate whether the monoclonal gammopathy is derived from kappa or lambda light chains.

"New Treatments for Cardiac Amyloidosis" (Barry Trachtenberg, MD)

Barry Trachtenberg, MD presents "New Treatments for Cardiac Amyloidosis", at the 4th Annual HOUSTON HEART FAILURE SUMMIT on February 8, 2019 at the Houston Methodist Research Institute.

Speaker: Barry Trachtenberg, MD

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4th Annual HOUSTON HEART FAILURE SUMMIT
February 8, 2019 - Houston Methodist Research Institute

Program Co-Directors: Arvind Bhimaraj, MD, MPH, Myung H. Park, MD

PROGRAM OVERVIEW
This program will provide a comprehensive update on the prevention, diagnosis and management of heart failure. Experts in the field will present topics and engage in panel discussions and case-based presentations. Sessions will cover the most recent treatments for chronic heart failure, pulmonary hypertension and hospital admissions as well as treatment options for cardiogenic shock and end-stage heart failure.

TARGET AUDIENCE AND EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
Physicians, physician assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners, residents/fellows and other health care professionals in cardiology and cardiovascular specialties, internal medicine and family practice will benefit from this course.

Upon completion of this live activity, the participant should be able to:
• Discuss new and novel treatments for treating chronic heart failure
• Evaluate case-based presentations for the appropriate diagnosis, evaluation and management of heart failure
• Examine the latest evidence, therapies and strategies to prevent and manage heart failure

CONTINUING NURSING EDUCATION LEARNING OUTCOME
Upon completion of this activity, the Registered Nurse will be able to incorporate updated treatment regimens, using the latest evidence, to prevent and treat heart failure, as evidenced by self-reported intent to change practice on the evaluation.

EDUCATION METHODS
Didactic presentations, question and answer sessions, and panel discussions

Multiple #myeloma and AL #amyloidosis: IMF Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joseph Mikhael briefly explains. #AsktheIMF

Transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) is a condition that gradually worsens over time and affects how certain organs work, especially the heart and the nerves. This unit will explore the causes of ATTR amyloidosis and how new gene therapies are being developed to potentially slow or stop disease progression.