More Than Meets the Eye: Time for a New Imaging Paradigm to Test for Cardiac Amyloidosis

Cardiac amyloidosis – most commonly resulting from deposition of misfolded light chain (AL) or transthyretin (ATTR) protein - is an underappreciated cause of heart failure.[1, 2] Commonly thought to be a rare disease, undiagnosed cardiac amyloidosis has been identified in numerous populations including 10-20% of elde rly patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF),[3] severe aortic stenosis,[4] and Afro-Caribbean patients with decompensated heart failure.[5] Despite this recent evidence, many clinicians indicate that they have never seen a case of cardiac amyloidosis, suggesting that the diagnosis is frequently missed.

Source: Journal of Cardiac Failure - January 3, 2018 Category: Cardiology Authors: Mathew S. Maurer, Frederick L. Ruberg, Jonathan W. Weinsaft Tags: Editorial Source Type: research