Missed Cardiac Amyloidosis: A Potentially Treatable Disease

Abstract

Aim To highlight the prevailing lack of suspicion of cardiac amyloidosis (CA) amongst physicians, leading to preventable delay in management of patients of heart failure (HF). Methods Six patients of CA diagnosed in 6 months were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical history, investigations, treatment, and follow-up data is analyzed. Result A speckled interventricular septum on echo favored CA. Speckle tracking showed reduced global longitudinal strain with typical left ventricular apical sparing in all patients. Bone marrow study confirmed light chain amyloidosis (AL) in all patients. Conclusion CA, a frequently missed diagnosis, can be detected early with the help of clinical red flag signs, echocardiogram, serum and urine immune electrophoresis and bone scan.