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AL_Akhali ES, Alshoabi SA, Hamid AM, Alsultan KD, Omer AM, Alhammadi MA. Cardiac amyloidosis: A diagnostic challenge. Radiol Case Rep 2024; 19:4730-4735. [PMID: 39228955 PMCID: PMC11366889 DOI: 10.1016/j.radcr.2024.07.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2024] [Revised: 07/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Cardiac amyloidosis is indeed a condition characterized by the deposition of amyloid proteins in the myocardium, leading to thickening and stiffening of the heart muscle. These abnormal protein deposits can interfere with the heart's normal functioning and may pose diagnostic challenges due to its varied clinical presentation and resemblance to other heart condition. Here, we present a case of 55-year-old female patient of uncontrolled hypertensions for 15 years. About 15 years ago, she presented with chest pain and was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy (CM) characterized by low left ventricle (LV) function of unknown cause. Despite being on antihypertensive treatment, the patient continued to experience chest heaviness with persistent elevate blood pressure. An echocardiogram revealed increased LV septal wall thickness, valvular thickening, and biatrial dilation. Subsequently, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) was performed, which revealed left atrium enlargement and asymmetrical myocardial wall thickening, particularly at the septum. White blood axial image revealed thickened inter atrial septum, while late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) magnetic resonance (LGE MR) images showed patchy LGE at the base relative to the apex of the myocardium, highlighting the base-to-apex gradient, subendocardial pattern enhancement at apical lateral wall, and transmural pattern enhancement of the mid anteroseptal and inferoseptal wall. Additionally, a short axis time to invert T1 scout image of left ventricle displayed an abnormal nulling pattern initially in the myocardium, followed by the blood pool, and finally the spleen. These findings collectively led to the diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sultan A. Alshoabi
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Kamal D. Alsultan
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Awatif M. Omer
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed A. Alhammadi
- Diagnostic Radiology Department, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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Kottam A, Hanneman K, Schenone A, Daubert MA, Sidhu GD, Gropler RJ, Garcia MJ. State-of-the-Art Imaging of Infiltrative Cardiomyopathies: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circ Cardiovasc Imaging 2023; 16:e000081. [PMID: 37916407 DOI: 10.1161/hci.0000000000000081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Infiltrative cardiomyopathies comprise a broad spectrum of inherited or acquired conditions caused by deposition of abnormal substances within the myocardium. Increased wall thickness, inflammation, microvascular dysfunction, and fibrosis are the common pathological processes that lead to abnormal myocardial filling, chamber dilation, and disruption of conduction system. Advanced disease presents as heart failure and cardiac arrhythmias conferring poor prognosis. Infiltrative cardiomyopathies are often diagnosed late or misclassified as other more common conditions, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, hypertensive heart disease, ischemic or other forms of nonischemic cardiomyopathies. Accurate diagnosis is also critical because clinical features, testing methodologies, and approach to treatment vary significantly even within the different types of infiltrative cardiomyopathies on the basis of the type of substance deposited. Substantial advances in noninvasive cardiac imaging have enabled accurate and early diagnosis. thereby eliminating the need for endomyocardial biopsy in most cases. This scientific statement discusses the role of contemporary multimodality imaging of infiltrative cardiomyopathies, including echocardiography, nuclear and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis, prognostication, and assessment of response to treatment.
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Hobocan M, Shaik A, Saad A, Dasgupta O, Jaiswal A. Slip-Ups in the Diagnosis of Cardiac Amyloidosis: A Case Fatality in Point. Cureus 2022; 14:e22458. [PMID: 35345713 PMCID: PMC8942287 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.22458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
This case report illustrates a tragic example of a "missed diagnosis" of amyloid light-chain (AL) amyloidosis with cardiac involvement that led to progressive heart failure and the ultimate death of the patient. It had a rather atypical presentation in terms of cardiac imaging, although there were certain highly suspicious clinical features, cardiac and otherwise. It also illustrates the importance of selecting the most appropriate assays to establish (or rule out) the presence of monoclonal immunoglobulin consistent with AL amyloidosis, which has a poor clinical prognosis, as unfortunately demonstrated in this case.
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Gupta S, Ge Y, Singh A, Gräni C, Kwong RY. Multimodality Imaging Assessment of Myocardial Fibrosis. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging 2021; 14:2457-2469. [PMID: 34023250 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmg.2021.01.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Myocardial fibrosis, seen in ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathies, is associated with adverse cardiac outcomes. Noninvasive imaging plays a key role in early identification and quantification of myocardial fibrosis with the use of an expanding array of techniques including cardiac magnetic resonance, computed tomography, and nuclear imaging. This review discusses currently available noninvasive imaging techniques, provides insights into their strengths and limitations, and examines novel developments that will affect the future of noninvasive imaging of myocardial fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Gupta
- Department of Radiology Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Noninvasive Cardiovascular Imaging Section, Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine and Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yin Ge
- Noninvasive Cardiovascular Imaging Section, Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine and Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Amitoj Singh
- Noninvasive Cardiovascular Imaging Section, Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine and Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Christoph Gräni
- Noninvasive Cardiovascular Imaging Section, Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine and Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Raymond Y Kwong
- Noninvasive Cardiovascular Imaging Section, Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine and Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
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Khanna S, Wen I, Bhat A, Chen HHL, Gan GCH, Pathan F, Tan TC. The Role of Multi-modality Imaging in the Diagnosis of Cardiac Amyloidosis: A Focused Update. Front Cardiovasc Med 2020; 7:590557. [PMID: 33195479 PMCID: PMC7661689 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2020.590557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is a unique disease entity involving an infiltrative process, typically resulting in a restrictive cardiomyopathy with diastolic heart failure that ultimately progresses to systolic heart failure. The two most common subtypes are light-chain and transthyretin amyloidosis. Early diagnosis of this disease entity, especially light-chain CA subtype, is crucial, as it portends a poorer prognosis. This review focuses on the clinical utility of the various imaging modalities in the diagnosis and differentiation of CA subtypes. This review also aims to highlight the key advances in each of the imaging modalities in the diagnosis and prognostication of CA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaun Khanna
- Department of Cardiology, Blacktown Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ivy Wen
- Department of Cardiology, Blacktown Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Aditya Bhat
- Department of Cardiology, Blacktown Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Henry H L Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Blacktown Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Gary C H Gan
- Department of Cardiology, Blacktown Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Faraz Pathan
- Department of Cardiovascular Imaging, Nepean Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Timothy C Tan
- Department of Cardiology, Blacktown Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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