Cardiac magnetic resonance findings in cardiac amyloidosis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to highlight the increasing importance of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging in diagnosing and managing cardiac amyloidosis, especially given the recent advancements in treatment options.

RECENT FINDINGS: This review emphasizes the crucial role of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) with phase-sensitive inversion recovery (PSIR) techniques in both diagnosing and predicting patient outcomes in cardiac amyloidosis. The review also explores promising new techniques for diagnosing early-stage disease, such as native T1 mapping and ECV quantification. Additionally, it delves into experimental techniques like diffusion tensor imaging, MR elastography, and spectroscopy.

SUMMARY: This review underscores CMR as a powerful tool for diagnosing cardiac amyloidosis, assessing risk factors, and monitoring treatment response. While LGE imaging remains the current best practice for diagnosis, emerging techniques such as T1 mapping and ECV quantification offer promise for improved detection, particularly in early stages of the disease. This has significant implications for patient management as newer therapeutic options become available for cardiac amyloidosis.