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Review
. 2022 Feb;9(1):11-20.
doi: 10.1002/ehf2.13701. Epub 2021 Nov 16.

Thromboembolism and bleeding in systemic amyloidosis: a review

Martin Nicol  1   2 , Virginie Siguret  2   3   4 , Giuseppe Vergaro  5 , Alberto Aimo  5 , Michele Emdin  5 , Jean Guillaume Dillinger  1   2 , Mathilde Baudet  1 , Alain Cohen-Solal  1   2 , Camille Villesuzanne  6 , Stephanie Harel  6 , Bruno Royer  6 , Bertrand Arnulf  2   6 , Damien Logeart  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Thromboembolism and bleeding in systemic amyloidosis: a review

Martin Nicol et al. ESC Heart Fail. 2022 Feb.

Abstract

The assessment of both thromboembolic and haemorrhagic risks and their management in systemic amyloidosis have been poorly emphasized so far. This narrative review summarizes main evidence from literature with clinical perspective. The rate of thromboembolic events is as high as 5-10% amyloidosis patients, at least in patients with cardiac involvement, with deleterious impact on prognosis. The most known pro-thrombotic factors are heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and atrial myopathy. Atrial fibrillation could occur in 20% to 75% of systemic amyloidosis patients. Cardiac thrombi are frequently observed in patients, particularly in immunoglobulin light chains (AL) amyloidosis, up to 30%, and it is advised to look for them systematically before cardioversion. In AL amyloidosis, nephrotic syndrome and the use of immunomodulatory drugs also favour thrombosis. On the other hand, the bleeding risk increases because of frequent amyloid digestive involvement as well as factor X deficiency, renal failure, and increased risk of dysautonomia-related fall.

Keywords: Amyloidosis; Anticoagulative therapy; Bleeding; Thromboembolism.

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Conflict of interest statement

Nothing to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Main determinants of thromboembolism and bleeding in systemic amyloidosis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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