Cardiac amyloidosis. Diagnosis by transvenous endomyocardial biopsy.
Endomyocardial tissue, obtained from two patients presenting with restrictive cardiomyopathies, demonstrated amyloid infiltration. The percutaneous transvenous cardiac biopsy technic, using a modified Konno-Sakakibara cardiac bioptome, was safe and quick. Physical examination and catheterization data may not provide a definite differential diagnosis between restrictive and constrictive myocardial disease. Confirmation by biopsy of the cardiac amyloidosis assisted in providing optimum diagnostic and therapeutic care for these patients.
D000368:Aged; D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D001706:Biopsy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D004699:Endocardium / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged