The Imaging Diagnosis of Less Advanced Cases of Cardiac Amyloidosis: The Relative Apical Sparing Pattern.
An early diagnosis is important for improving the prognosis of cardiac amyloidosis (CA). We herein describe the utility of two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2-D STE) in diagnosing CA at a less advanced stage. A 63-year-old woman with exertional dyspnea was suspected of having CA based on her echocardiographic and electrocardiographic findings. A myocardial biopsy was negative for amyloid deposits, while the relative apical sparing pattern was detected on 2-D STE, which was highly suggestive of CA. Chemotherapy was initiated as a treatment for CA, and the patient's symptoms were immediately relieved. Thereafter, amyloid deposits were detected in a skin biopsy specimen.
Department of Hematology, Soka Municipal Hospital, Japan.
Koya
K
Ono
Go
G
Ishimaru
Miho
M
Hayashi
Yuan
Y
Bae
Takashi
T
Ito
Toshiyuki
T
Izumo
Ken
K
Murata
D000368:Aged; D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology*; D011379:Prognosis