Journal of Cardiovascular Ultrasound  2016;24(1):64-67

doi:10.4250/jcu.2016.24.1.64

Abnormal Myocardial Blood Flow Reserve Observed in Cardiac Amyloidosis.

Michael Chi Yuan NAM 1 ; Karen NEL ; Roxy SENIOR ; Kim GREAVES

Affiliations

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Keywords

Myocardial blood flow; Myocardial blood flow reserve; Contrast echocardiography; Cardiac amyloidosis; Echocardiography

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

Abstract

We performed real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography on a patient with cardiac amyloidosis and previous normal coronary angiography presenting with atypical chest pain to assess myocardial blood flow reserve (MBFR). Myocardial contrast echocardiography was performed and flash microbubble destruction and replenishment analysis was used to calculate myocardial blood flow. Dipyridamole was used to achieve hyperemia. MBFR was derived from the ratio of peak myocardial blood flow at hyperemia and rest. The results show a marked reduction in MBFR in our patient. Previous reports of luminal obstruction of intramyocardial rather than epicardial vessels by amyloid deposition may be causing microvascular dysfunction.