Diagnosis of Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy
Adam Hafeez, Anthony A. Bavry
Abstract
Transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) continues to be an easily overlooked, life-threatening, yet treatable cause of heart failure. Furthermore, its elusive diagnosis leads to late or misdiagnosis. As therapeutic advancements such as tafamidis usher in a promising new era in the management of ATTR-CM, the need for disease awareness and efficient diagnostic evaluation is crucial. With newer inexpensive imaging modalities and techniques, such as longitudinal strain imaging, T1 mapping on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and cardiac scintigraphy, the diagnosis of ATTR-CM no longer requires invasive evaluation with tissue biopsy. Here, the authors review current diagnostic tools to help clinicians diagnose ATTR-CM.