Cardiac amyloidosis: Diagnostic features and clinical implications

Seven patients with cardiac amyloidosis were referred to King Khaled University Hospital. All patients in this study developed congestive heart failure. They had a long duration of illness and thickened ventricular wall with marked abnormalities in the left ventricular filling, and normal systolic function. Diastolic function is suggested as a possible mechanism of congestive cardiac failure in the patients presented. The cardiac functional evaluation was made by echocardiography, whereas the diagnosis of amyloidosis was confirmed by rectal biopsy and positive technetium Tc 99m pyrophosphate scintigraphy. The diagnostic characteristic hemodynamic features of the left ventricle and its function are described and discussed with the clinical implications of the presenting features.