Article Impact Level: HIGH Data Quality: STRONG Summary of Clinical Cardiology, 46(6), 648–655. https://doi.org/10.1002/clc.23985 Dr. Dania Mohty et al.
Points
- Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is a progressive disease caused by the deposition of amyloid fibrils in cardiac tissues.
- A survey was conducted among cardiologists in four Middle Eastern countries (Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Egypt, and Iraq) to assess their knowledge and practices in diagnosing and managing different subtypes of CA.
- The survey revealed variations in knowledge, experience level, and institutional readiness among the participating cardiologists in managing patients with ATTR-CM, a subtype of CA.
- Challenges identified included a high rate of misdiagnosis in ATTR-CM cases, varying understanding of diagnostic modalities and indicators, and disparities in the availability of essential diagnostic tools across cardiology centers.
- Participants strongly agreed on the need for increased education, physician networking, and knowledge exchange to improve awareness and management of CA, particularly ATTR-CM, in Middle Eastern countries.
Summary
Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is a chronic progressive disease characterized by the deposition of amyloid fibrils in cardiac tissues. The diagnosis and management of CA have undergone significant development over the years. This research paper aims to investigate the knowledge disparities in diagnosing, managing, and treating different subtypes of CA among Middle Eastern countries.
The study employed an online survey distributed to cardiologists in Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Egypt, and Iraq, who specialized in heart failure and had at least one year of experience. The survey focused on the participants’ characteristics, institutions, and knowledge and practices regarding CA, including diagnostic modalities, treatment options, and interest in education and knowledge exchange.
Eighty-five physicians participated in the survey, revealing variations in their knowledge, experience level, and institutional readiness to manage patients with CA, specifically ATTR-CM. Many participants expressed concerns about a high rate of misdiagnosis in ATTR-CM cases. Moreover, the participants’ understanding of diagnostic modalities and indicators of ATTR-CM varied, while the availability of essential diagnostic tools varied among different cardiology centers. There was also a noticeable knowledge gap regarding updates in ATTR-CM management. However, the survey showed a strong consensus among participants regarding increased education, physician networking, and knowledge exchange.
In conclusion, this study emphasizes raising awareness among cardiologists in the selected Middle Eastern countries regarding CA, particularly ATTR-CM. Additional training and knowledge exchange on the latest management advancements in this disease is vital for improving the quality of care and patient outcomes. Therefore, efforts should be made to enhance physicians’ awareness of the ATTR-CM patient journey and implement measures to address the identified knowledge gaps.
Link to the article: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/clc.23985
References Mohty, D., Nasr, S., Ragy, H., Farhan, H. A., Fadel, B., Alayary, I., & Ghoubar, M. (2023). Cardiac amyloidosis: A survey of current awareness, diagnostic modalities, treatment practices, and clinical challenges among cardiologists in selected Middle Eastern countries. Clinical Cardiology, 46(6), 648–655. https://doi.org/10.1002/clc.23985
