A 65-year-old man is being assessed for chronic shortness of breath. He has had exertional dyspnea for the past year and has recently had weight gain and peripheral edema. He has no history of cardiovascular or pulmonary problems. The histopathologic results of a cardiac biopsy of the left ventricle are shown on the slide below. Which of the following echocardiographic results are most likely in this patient?

Question

A 65-year-old man is being assessed for chronic shortness of breath. He has had exertional dyspnea for the past year and has recently had weight gain and peripheral edema. He has no history of cardiovascular or pulmonary problems. The histopathologic results of a cardiac biopsy of the left ventricle are shown on the slide below.  Which of the following echocardiographic results are most likely in this patient?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Amyloid cardiomyopathy, which is characterized by the buildup of misfolded amyloid fibrils, shows on light microscopy as pink, amorphous extracellular material. The ventricular walls stiffen and thicken evenly, resulting in decreased diastolic relaxation, a dilated left atrial cavity, and progressive left and right heart failure. The size of the left ventricular cavity is usually normal or reduced.

A 65-Year-Old Man Is Being Assessed for Chronic Shortness of Breath