Published in:
01-09-2019 | Echocardiography
Speckle tracking echocardiography in cardiac amyloidosis
Authors:
Mario Stricagnoli, Matteo Cameli, Eufemia Incampo, Stefano Lunghetti, Sergio Mondillo
Published in:
Heart Failure Reviews
|
Issue 5/2019
Login to get access
Abstract
Speckle tracking echocardiography is an imaging method, based on analysis of 2D echocardiographic images, that is useful in providing information on tissue deformation in different cardiac diseases. Cardiac amyloidosis is a complex pathological entity that can be confused with other causes responsible for cardiac hypertrophy, and for this reason, it can be misdiagnosed, especially in the early stages. Cardiac magnetic resonance and endomyocardial biopsy are reference methods for specific diagnosis, but their use is limited by a number of factors, both of a logistical and technical nature. Considering the limits of standard 2D echocardiography, speckle tracking echocardiography can be a useful method to enhance the clinical suspicion, to provide prognostic information, and to address patients more appropriately towards reference methods for definitive diagnosis.