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Amyloidosis Prognosis

Amyloidosis is a rare disease in which a protein called amyloid accumulates in various tissues and organs, impairing normal function. The prognosis for the disease varies according to the affected organs.

  1. The Facts

    • Amyloid proteins typically are produced in bone marrow cells and then deposited elsewhere in the body. Common places for amyloid buildup include the kidneys, heart, liver, spleen, gastrointestinal tract and nervous system

    Heart

    • If amyloid proteins build up in the heart, they can reduce the heart's pumping capacity and significantly diminish the body's blood supply. This can result in congestive heart failure and even death.

    Kidney

    • Protein buildup in the kidneys can damage the kidneys' ability to filter waste toxins from the bloodstream, leading to kidney failure and possible death.

    Additional Outcomes

    • Amyloidosis also can cause respiratory failure, endocrine (hormone system) failure and death from systemic (widespread) presence of amyloids.

    Considerations

    • If amyloidosis has an underlying cause (secondary amyloidosis), treating that cause can significantly reduce potentially harmful outcomes.

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