Diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis with the use of modern ultrasound techniques

Abstract

Amyloidosis is a systemic disease caused by accumulation of insoluble amyloid proteins in the tissues. Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) lead to a severe heart failure, which is often therapy resistant. The severity of heart failure does not correspond to the degree of decrease in systolic function of the left ventricle, since diastolic function is more impairing. Early diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis is important due to the presence of treatment regimens for this disease nowadays. The “gold standard” for cardiac amyloidosis diagnosis is myocardial biopsy, but non-invasive diagnostic methods are also of great importance. The aim of the article is a review of the ultrasound signs of cardiac amyloidosis, including the use of modern technologies, which helps to suspect CA to provide a further examination.