Cardiac Amyloid Echocardiography

Echocardiography---the use of an echocardiogram to perform an ultrasound---allows the transmission of live moving images of the cardiac area. An echocardiogram helps identify heart conditions such as cardiac amyloidosis, which can occur when amyloid proteins build up in the heart and gradually replace normal cardiac tissue. Cardiac amyloidosis progressively worsens over time and can require medications, implants such as pacemakers or a heart transplant.

Echocardiography

• According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, an echocardiogram uses sound waves to provide images of the moving heart, the heartbeat and blood flow as well as to display detailed pictures of the structures in and around the heart. Physicians interpret results from the images taken by a sonographer during an echocardiogram for any heart abnormalities such as amyloid deposits. Although the procedure usually remains entirely noninvasive, sonographers sometimes administer a liquid intravenously to provide better echocardiography contrast.

Cardiac Amyloidosis

• Abnormal proteins called amyloids can build up in heart tissue and cause cardiac amyloidosis, commonly referred to as "stiff heart syndrome," according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health. Amyloid deposits in heart tissue gradually replace normal tissue and cause the heart to stop working properly. Blood flow through the heart and the regularity of the heartbeat most often suffer because of this condition. Cardiac amyloidosis affects men more than women and can result in heart failure if left untreated.

Symptoms and Treatments

• Swelling of the extremities, becoming easily fatigued, heart palpitations, low blood pressure upon standing, enlarged neck veins and difficulty breathing in certain positions may all signal cardiac amyloidosis. Due to the serious nature of cardiac amyloidosis, treatments range from medication prescriptions and fluid intake restrictions at the onset of the condition to more aggressive treatments such as chemotherapy, implant of a cardioverter-defibrillator or pacemaker, or a heart transplant.

Other Tests

• Because cardiac amyloidosis symptoms mimic those of other heart ailments, doctors often request tests in addition to echocardiography to verify the condition. Additional exams may include a CT scan, an MRI, a coronary angiography, nuclear scans of the heart and a biopsy of the heart tissue. Health professionals may also request biopsies of other organs and tissues such as the kidneys, abdomen or bone marrow to help verify a diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis.

Transesophageal Echocardiography

• People undergoing an echocardiogram do not need any special preparation, but some conditions may impede a thoroughly clear view of the heart and require a more invasive type of echocardiogram. A transesophageal echocardiogram involves a scope that travels through the esophagus to help a doctor obtain a clearer view of the heart. Although rarely performed, a transesophageal echocardiagram provides better images of the heart when a patient suffers from lung disease, obesity or another condition that obstructs the view during a noninvasive echocardiogram.