Molecular Imaging of Cardiac Amyloidosis

Cardiac amyloidosis is an infiltrative cardiomyopathy, most commonly due to light chain amyloidosis [AL] or transthyretin amyloidosis [ATTR]; both cause significant heart failure and mortality. This review is a comprehensive overview of radionuclide molecular imaging in cardiac amyloidosis, highlighting the latest advancements in aiding diagnosis and prognosis. Specific bone scintigraphy agents have a high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis. Amyloid-binding radiotracers, originally developed for imaging Alzheimer’s disease, are being employed to image light chain and transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis. There is ongoing research into the use of these tracers for precise quantification of cardiac amyloidosis, which can be used to guide therapy. Radionuclide molecular imaging techniques have a vital role in advancing the field of cardiac amyloidosis. With a broadening armamentarium of novel radio tracers and new therapeutic developments, this is an exciting area, with potential breakthroughs on the horizon.