Cardiac Amyloidosis Presenting as Biventricular Systolic Heart Failure

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Medical Imaging
• Oncology

Background:

• Transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis is an underdiagnosed infiltrative cardiomyopathy.
• Early diagnosis is crucial for effective management and improved patient outcomes.

Observation:

• An octogenarian patient presented with new-onset heart failure symptoms.
• The patient had no prior significant medical history.

Findings:

• Multimodality imaging, including echocardiography with strain analysis, cardiac MRI, and pyrophosphate scintigraphy, was performed.
• Biomarker analysis, monoclonal protein assessment, and fat pad biopsy were also conducted.
• The diagnostic workup confirmed transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis.

Implications:

• This case highlights the importance of a comprehensive diagnostic approach for heart failure in the elderly.
• Advanced imaging techniques play a vital role in diagnosing cardiac amyloidosis.
• Timely diagnosis allows for targeted therapies and management strategies.