Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 3, 2025

Imaging Amyloid Tissues Stained with Luminescent Conjugated Oligothiophenes by Hyperspectral Confocal Microscopy and Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging
10:04

Imaging Amyloid Tissues Stained with Luminescent Conjugated Oligothiophenes by Hyperspectral Confocal Microscopy and Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging

Published on: October 20, 2017

13.7K

Cardiac Amyloidosis-Challenging Diagnosis and Unclear Clinical Picture

Sylwia Kozak1, Krzysztof Ulbrich1, Maciej Migacz2

  • 1Student Scientific Society at the Department of Internal, Autoimmune and Metabolic Diseases, School of Medicine, Medical University of Silesia, 40-752 Katowice, Poland.

Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)
|June 2, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is a rare heart disease caused by amyloid protein buildup. Early diagnosis through clinical suspicion and echocardiography is crucial for timely, targeted treatment and improved patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology and internal medicine, focusing on systemic diseases affecting the heart.

Background:

  • Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is a rare systemic disease characterized by amyloid protein deposition in cardiac structures.
  • Key subtypes include light chain (AL), amyloid A (AA), and transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis, necessitating subtype identification for targeted therapy.

Observation:

  • A 65-year-old woman presented with severe exercise intolerance, reduced breath sounds, ascites, and lower extremity edema.
  • Echocardiographic findings raised suspicion for CA, prompting further diagnostic investigations.

Findings:

  • The case highlights the clinical presentation of cardiac amyloidosis.
  • Diagnostic pathway involved clinical suspicion, echocardiography, and subsequent confirmation.

Implications:

  • Increased clinician awareness of CA symptoms can reduce diagnostic delays.
  • Timely diagnosis and subtype identification are essential for initiating appropriate, potentially life-saving treatments.

Keywords:
amyloidosisheart failuretransthyretin

More Related Videos

Performing and Processing FNA of Anterior Fat Pad for Amyloid09:41

Performing and Processing FNA of Anterior Fat Pad for Amyloid

Published on: October 30, 2010

55.7K
Tissue Preparation Techniques for Contrast-Enhanced Micro Computed Tomography Imaging of Large Mammalian Cardiac Models with Chronic Disease12:15

Tissue Preparation Techniques for Contrast-Enhanced Micro Computed Tomography Imaging of Large Mammalian Cardiac Models with Chronic Disease

Published on: February 8, 2022

2.7K

Related Concept Videos

Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a rare heart muscle disease characterized by impaired ventricular filling due to stiffened ventricular walls, leading to significant diastolic dysfunction.EtiologyRestrictive cardiomyopathy can arise from both inherited and acquired diseases, many of which are systemic. It is categorized into four main types: infiltrative, storage, non-infiltrative, and endomyocardial diseases.Infiltrative diseases, such as amyloidosis, lead to RCM by depositing amyloid...
145
Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification01:25

Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification

Cardiomyopathy, or CMP, is a group of diseases affecting the myocardial structure, impairing its ability to pump blood effectively. This condition can lead to arrhythmias, heart failure, or sudden cardiac death.Cardiomyopathies are classified into primary and secondary categories:Primary Cardiomyopathy refers to conditions involving only the heart muscle that are often idiopathic (of unknown cause) or genetic. They primarily affect the myocardium without the involvement of other systemic...
170
Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests01:27

Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle. The symptoms vary widely, encompassing asymptomatic presentations to severe, acute manifestations.Clinical PresentationAsymptomatic cases: In some instances, myocarditis may be asymptomatic, with the infection resolving without intervention. These cases often go undetected unless discovered incidentally through diagnostic imaging or tests conducted for other reasons.General Early Symptoms: Early symptoms of myocarditis are non-specific and can...
70
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
110
Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests01:23

Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests

Mitral stenosis is a heart condition in which the mitral valve, which allows blood to flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle, becomes narrowed or stenotic. This narrowing hinders blood flow and leads to clinical symptoms requiring specific medical evaluations and management strategies. The following overview outlines the clinical symptoms, assessments, diagnostic findings, prevention methods, and treatments for mitral stenosis.Clinical ManifestationsDyspnea (shortness of breath): This...
61
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy01:30

Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a progressive myocardial disorder characterized by ventricular chamber dilation and contractile dysfunction.EtiologyVarious factors can cause DCM, including hypertension and heavy alcohol intake, which contribute to the weakening and enlargement of the heart muscle. Viral infections, such as Coxsackievirus B, adenoviruses, and influenza, can lead to DCM by causing inflammation and damage to heart tissue. Certain chemotherapeutic agents, including daunorubicin,...
111