What can infiltrative myopathy lead to?

Infiltrative myopathy can lead to both systolic and diastolic dysfunction due to the pathological processes that affect the heart muscle. Infiltrative myopathies, such as those seen in conditions like amyloidosis or sarcoidosis, involve the accumulation of abnormal proteins or cells in the myocardium, which can impair the heart's ability to contract and relax effectively.

Systolic dysfunction occurs when the heart's pumping ability is compromised, leading to reduced ejection fraction and overall cardiac output. This can result from the stiffness or mechanical interference caused by the infiltrative process, affecting the heart's contractility.

On the other hand, diastolic dysfunction arises from impaired relaxation of the heart muscle, which affects its ability to fill properly during the diastolic phase. The infiltration leads to increased stiffness of the myocardium, making it more difficult for the ventricles to expand and fill with blood.

In summary, infiltrative myopathy impacts both the pumping ability during systole and the filling capacity during diastole, thus leading to both forms of dysfunction in the heart's performance. Consequently, recognizing the effects of infiltrative processes is crucial in understanding the comprehensive impact on cardiac function.