A case report of cardiac amyloidosis presenting with chronic pericardial effusion and conduction block.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Amyloidosis is caused by the deposition of abnormal proteins in the extracellular space of various organs. The clinical features of amyloidosis depend on the type of amyloid protein and the organ system involved.

Case summary

A 51-year-old woman developed complete heart block which warranted a permanent pacemaker insertion. She was referred for evaluation of chronic pericardial effusion. The patient had stable vital signs and muffled heart sounds on examination of the cardiovascular system. Her chest X-ray film showed a permanent pacemaker in situ, and echocardiogram showed a chronic pericardial effusion without features of tamponade. On further evaluation, she was found to have an M band on serum electrophoresis, elevated free light chain ratio and amyloid

SUBMITTER: John KJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6939806 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature