This review article aims to provide an overview of the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and contemporary management of cardiac amyloidosis (CA) as well as identify the knowledge gaps and areas of potential research. CA can be divided into two main groups: transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA) and light chain cardiac amyloidosis (AL-CA). The former further separates into wild-type transthyretin (ATTRwt) and hereditary transthyretin (ATTRv). African Americans, males, and people older than 75 are the most common demographics affected by this disease. Thanks to an increased understanding of this disease combined with better diagnostic techniques, there is growing awareness and a surge of clinical trials aimed at improving outcomes of CA. The diagnosis and treatment of CA is multifaceted and complex, relying on multiple imaging modalities and the cooperation of specialists to deliver effective treatments. While some disease-modifying agents have been introduced recently, their extraordinary cost limits their benefit or they are supported by limited evidence. Other agents are currently undergoing phase 3 trials. To date, there is scarce data surrounding optimal diagnostic and treatment strategies, including a potential role for combination therapies. Critically, it is imperative that physicians develop close relationships with the patient that addresses not only their individual health needs but also their unique psychosocial situation. Therefore, more clinical trials, protocols and patient resources are needed to better inform and guide providers managing these complex patient needs.
The purpose of this review article is to discuss the current treatment modalities and ongoing clinical trials regarding cardiac amyloidosis (CA), specifically transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA). Amyloidosis refers to the extracellular deposition of insoluble amyloid fibrillar proteins. When these proteins are deposited in the heart’s myocardium, it is referred to as cardiac amyloidosis. CA can be divided into two main groups: light chain cardiac amyloidosis (AL-CA) and transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA), which can be further subdivided into wild-type transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRwt) and hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRv). ATTR-CA is an increasingly recognized cause of heart failure in the setting of progressive restrictive cardiomyopathy, particularly among older adults, males, and individuals of African descent, with remarkable advances in the therapeutic landscape. TTR stabilizers, including Tafamidis (approved in 2019) and Acoramidis (approved in 2024), have demonstrated significant reductions in mortality and cardiovascular hospitalizations. Gene silencing therapies, including Vutrisiran (approved in 2025), represent a new drug group that targets TTR production at the RNA level. Meanwhile, CRISPR-based gene editing with nexiguran ziclumeran (nex-z or NTLA-2001) and amyloid-depleting monoclonal antibodies offer the prospect of one-time curative treatments and active fibril clearance, respectively. However, despite these advances, substantial knowledge gaps persist: no head-to-head trials have compared stabilizers to silencers, optimal combination therapy regimens remain undefined, and the role of conventional guideline-directed medical therapy in ATTR-CA has only been supported by observational data.
The purpose of this review article is to discuss the current treatment modalities and ongoing clinical trials regarding cardiac amyloidosis (CA), specifically transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA). Amyloidosis refers to the extracellular deposition of insoluble amyloid fibrillar proteins. When these proteins are deposited in the heart's myocardium, it is referred to as cardiac amyloidosis. CA can be divided into two main groups: light chain cardiac amyloidosis (AL-CA) and transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA), which can be further subdivided into wild-type transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRwt) and hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRv). ATTR-CA is an increasingly recognized cause of heart failure in the setting of progressive restrictive cardiomyopathy, particularly among older adults, males, and individuals of African descent, with remarkable advances in the therapeutic landscape. TTR stabilizers, including Tafamidis (approved in 2019) and Acoramidis (approved in 2024), have demonstrated significant reductions in mortality and cardiovascular hospitalizations. Gene silencing therapies, including Vutrisiran (approved in 2025), represent a new drug group that targets TTR production at the RNA level. Meanwhile, CRISPR-based gene editing with Nexiguran Ziclumeran (nex-z or NTLA-2001) and amyloid-depleting monoclonal antibodies offer the prospect of one-time curative treatments and active fibril clearance, respectively. However, despite these advances, substantial knowledge gaps persist: no head-to-head trials have compared stabilizers to silencers, optimal combination therapy regimens remain undefined, and the role of conventional guideline-directed medical therapy in ATTR-CA has only been supported by observational data.