Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance in Cardiac Amyloidosis: Part I-Technical Foundations, Techniques, and Endpoints

Abstract

Amyloidosis is a systemic disease characterized by the extracellular deposition of the misfolded proteins resulting in organ dysfunction, frequently the heart. Cardiac amyloidosis is an underrecognized cause of heart failure which carries significant morbidity and mortality when its diagnosis is delayed. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging has emerged as critical technique in diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis through its unique ability to non-invasively measure myocardial tissue characteristics and changes in extracellular volume. In turn, CMR allows differential diagnosis, early detection, and precise characterization of amyloid disease pathology. This review focuses on the technical foundations of CMR relevant to cardiac amyloidosis.