Cardiac amyloidosis is a devastatin gand progressive disease.
Nursesshould be aware of the manifestationsof cardiac amyloidosis in orderto assist in early diagnosis and treatment.
Early diagnosis and treatment provide patients with improved
outcomes and better quality of life.
Familiarity with the initial signs and symptoms and the progression of cardiac amyloidosis is necessary in order to recognize it.
Will’s case proved to be a unique opportunity for the critical care nurses in my unit to educate themselves
about the diagnosis of cardiac
amyloidosis. We are more skilled in
recognizing the manifestations andunderstand the predictable progression
of the disease course. This
experience generated dialogue
between disciplines that has resulted
in the prompt recognition and diagnosis
of amyloidosis in several more
patients, allowing them to receive
the treatments and referrals they
need to fight the disease.