My Approach to Echocardiography for the Diagnosis of Amyloidosis

Abstract

Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is a multisystemic, infiltrative disease characterized by the deposition of insoluble proteins, known as amyloid fibrils, in the interstitial space of different tissues, such as the heart, nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, and eyes. In the heart, it is characterized by a progressive myocardial thickening, evolving into a restrictive pattern. CA is being diagnosed with increasing frequency, probably due to the greater dissemination of related information and advances in diagnostic methods and therapies that modify its course. Echocardiography is the first-line examination for diagnostic screening, monitoring, and differentiation from phenocopies.