Point-of-care ultrasound leads to a rare incidental diagnosis in a patient with acute kidney injury

Abstract

ABSTRACT Cardiac amyloidosis is a rare disorder with a poor long-term prognosis. Presenting features often mirror those of more commonly encountered diseases, making diagnosis challenging. Clinicians should suspect amyloidosis in patients presenting with symptoms of heart failure and preserved ejection fraction. Diagnostic testing assesses for characteristic ECG, echocardiogram, and cardiovascular MRI findings. Confirmatory testing traditionally is performed with endomyocardial biopsy, but safer, less-invasive options exist. Although overall prognosis is unfavorable, contemporary advances in treatment options have improved short-term patient survival.