Acute limb ischemia in a patient with cardiac amyloidosis: a case report

Cases J. 2009 Sep 8:2:8525. doi: 10.4076/1757-1626-2-8525.

Abstract

Introduction: Cardiac amyloidosis is a manifestation of several systemic diseases known as amyloidoses. Arterial thromboembolic complications have not been reported to occur frequently, although the pathophysiology of cardiovascular amyloidosis would theoretically predispose to such manifestations.

Case presentation: We present the case of a 52-year-old woman, who suffered from cardiac amyloidosis and was admitted to our hospital for left acute limb ischemia. An urgent embolectomy was performed, improving her clinical condition and the pathologoanatomic examination of the embolus revealed deposition of amyloid.

Conclusion: Peripheral arterial thromboembolic events in patients with amyloidosis are rare. An antiplatelet treatment is recommended in such patients with cardiac amyloidosis for the prevention of embolism.

Publication types

  • Case Reports