Echocardiography in Infiltrative Cardiomyopathy

Rebecca Perry, Joseph Selvanayagam

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Left ventricular (LV) wall thickening can occur due to both physiological and pathological processes. Some LV wall thickening is caused by infiltrative cardiac deposition diseases — rare disorders from both inherited and acquired conditions, with varying systemic manifestations. They portend a poor prognosis and are generally not reversible except in rare circumstances when early diagnosis and treatment may alter the outcome (e.g., Fabry disease). Cardiac involvement is variable and depends on the degree of infiltration and type of infiltrate. These changes often lead to the development of abnormalities in both the relaxation and contractile function of the heart ultimately resulting in heart failure. Echocardiography is generally the first investigation of choice as it is easily available and gives valuable information about the thickness of the ventricular walls as well as systolic and diastolic function. It is also able to identify unique, characteristic features of the disease as well as detecting any haemodynamic sequelae. This review looks at the role of echocardiography in the diagnosis and prognosis of infiltrative cardiac deposition diseases.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1365-1375
Number of pages11
JournalHeart Lung and Circulation
Volume28
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished or Issued - Sept 2019

Keywords

  • Amyloidosis
  • Echocardiography
  • Fabry disease
  • Infiltrative cardiomyopathy
  • Left ventricular hypertrophy
  • Sarcoidosis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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