Cardiac Amyloidosis Foundations-Cardiac Amyloidosis Diagnosis

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Video Summary

Dr. Jan Griffin, a cardiologist, presented a case of an 82-year-old man suspected of having cardiac amyloidosis. Symptoms included shortness of breath, leg swelling, dizziness, and a history of hypertension. Initial examinations showed thick ventricular walls and enlarged atria, suspicious for amyloidosis. A diagnostic algorithm for transthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis was discussed, suggesting non-biopsy confirmation through imaging and clinical criteria, especially when no monoclonal proteins are found. The patient was eventually diagnosed with wild-type ATTR cardiac amyloidosis, confirmed by negative genetic testing for ATTR mutation and grade three uptake on PYP scan alongside echo findings. The presentation emphasized that careful differentiation between TTR and AL amyloidosis is critical, considering biopsy when necessary. It also highlighted the importance of advanced imaging techniques, such as SPECT, for accurate scintigraphy interpretation, underscoring that clinical suspicion should guide comprehensive evaluation to avoid misdiagnosis.

Keywords

cardiac amyloidosis

transthyretin amyloidosis

wild-type ATTR

advanced imaging techniques

differentiation TTR AL