Establishment of a Comprehensive Cardiac Amyloidosis Center in a Community Hospital Setting

Abstract

Cardiac amyloidosis is a great masquerader that often results in misdiagnosis of this condition. Early clinical recognition is crucial for timely therapeutic interventions to improve survival in patients with cardiac amyloidosis. Currently, Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications work best if started early in the disease. Thus, to increase identification, disease awareness, expertise in diagnostic techniques, and a multidisciplinary team approach is essential. The majority of the patients (~90%) in the United States are treated in community hospitals, thus, it would be helpful for these hospitals to have their own designated, comprehensive cardiac amyloidosis center to provide care to the patients who are widespread in the community. Most of these patients are elderly, and it is difficult for these patients to travel long distances to academic amyloid centers. Our manuscript aims to provide a path to the development of cardiac amyloid centers at community hospitals.