The diagnostic value ofechocardiography in cardiac amloidosis

：Objective To analyzetransthoracic echocardiographic characteristics of cardiac amloidosis (CA).Methods Fifteencases of biopsy-proven CA were retrospectively reviewed.Results Interventricular septalthickening(＞1.3cm)of varing degrees were found in all cases.In 11 cases,the posterior of left ventricularwall were thickened.Myocardial echoes of interventricular septum and free wall of leftventricular were enhanced evidently and distributed unevenly.The echoes presented asground glass-like images,with some spotty hyper echoes.Both atria were enlarged,and LVEFdecreased,with diastolic function impaired,and mild-moderate hydropericardium found in theCA.Conclusions Transthoracic echocardiography is a relatively sensitive and highlyspecific non-invasive mothod tO diagnose CA. Key words: Echocardiography; Cardiomyopathies; Amyloidosis