Cardiac amyloidosis: shifting our impressions to hopeful.

Cardiac amyloidosis is a well-known but clinically rare cause of heart failure that has historically been associated with a poor prognosis. Cardiac amyloidosis involves fibril formation from one of several underlying conditions, and the course of illness and prognosis varies among these conditions. Evolving treatment strategies for patients with primary systemic amyloidosis have given this subset of cardiac amyloidosis patients a cause for hope. The identification and appropriate referral of patients in whom this condition is suspected will help to improve the likelihood of successful therapy and long-term survival.