Differential Diagnosis of Amyloid Cardiomyopathy

Baca et  al. urge emergency physicians to be aware of the distinction between amyloid cardiomyopathy and acute on chronic systolic heart failure, because treatment of amyloid cardiomyopathy includes loop diuretics, to the exclusion of beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, and digoxin (1). I would add that amyloid cardiomyopathy should also be distinguished from constrictive pericarditis (CP) because CP requires treatment by pericardiectomy, almost to the total exclusion of diuretic therapy, especially if aggressive diuretic therapy is pursued in the absenc e of a suspicion for CP.
Source: The Journal of Emergency Medicine - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Tags: Letters to the Editor Source Type: research