Abdominal Fat Pad Fine-Needle Aspiration for the Diagnosis of Cardiac Amyloidosis: A Technical Note With Illustrative Images.

INTRODUCTION

Cardiac amyloidosis is a restrictive cardiomyopathy caused by extracellular deposition of misfolded proteins. Abdominal fat pad fine-needle aspiration (FPFNA) has been described as a minimally invasive diagnostic tool for systemic and cardiac amyloidosis.

METHODS

We present a step-by-step description of the aspiration technique, including sample handling, Congo red staining under polarized light, accompanied by illustrative images.

CONCLUSION

Abdominal fat pad FPFNA is a simple, inexpensive, and safe procedure. According to published data, it offers moderate to high sensitivity, especially in advanced disease, and can reduce the need for more invasive biopsies.