Infiltrative and Genetic Cardiomyopathy Program

Infiltrative cardiomyopathy includes a group of inherited and acquired diseases characterized by the deposition of abnormal biological substances within the heart, eventually leading to cardiac dysfunction, heart failure, and/or ventricular and atrial arrhythmias.

Among them, amyloidosis and sarcoidosis are more common than previously suspected, making accurate diagnosis an essential first step. ACTAT’s cardiomyopathy program uses advanced technologies for an accurate diagnosis – cardiac MRI, positron emission tomography (PET), pyrophosphate (PYP) scans with state-of-the-art SPECT CT, and strain echocardiography. We offer genetic testing to patients with cardiomyopathies that run in families and cause cardiac dysfunction. Once we identify a gene mutation in a patient, we offer genetic counseling to families to assess each member’s risk, in collaboration with the Baylor College of Medicine Department of Molecular and Human Genetics.