Primary cardiac amyloidosis: A review of the literature.

A review of the literature on primary cardiac amyloidosis is presented. Its differentiation from constrictive pericarditis, both on clinical and haemodynamic grounds, is outlined. The importance of antemortem endomyocardial biopsy in establishing a definitive diagnosis of this relatively rare condition is stressed. Finally, an updated overview of the classification and immunological pathogenesis of this disease is given.