The American Journal of Medicine
Volume 118, Issue 11 , Pages 1287.e1-1287.e7, November 2005

Obstructive intramural coronary amyloidosis and myocardial ischemia are common in primary amyloidosis

  • Michelle A. Neben-Wittich, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn
    • ,
  • Christopher M. Wittich, PharmD, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn
    • ,
  • Paul S. Mueller, MD

      Affiliations

    • Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn
    • Corresponding Author InformationRequests for reprints should be addressed to Paul S. Mueller, MD, Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905.
    • ,
  • Dirk R. Larson, MS

      Affiliations

    • Division of Biostatistics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn
    • ,
  • Morie A. Gertz, MD

      Affiliations

    • Division of Hematology, and Division of Anatomic Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.
    • ,
  • William D. Edwards, MD

Abstract 

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of clinical syndromes and pathologic changes of myocardial ischemia due to obstructive intramural coronary amyloidosis among patients with primary amyloidosis and cardiac involvement.

Subjects and methods

Medical records and pathologic specimens were reviewed from 96 patients with primary amyloidosis and cardiac involvement at autopsy or after cardiac transplantation during a 20-year period. Medical records were reviewed for patient demographic and clinical characteristics, including evidence for syndromes of myocardial ischemia. Pathologic specimens were examined for obstructive intramural coronary amyloidosis and microscopic changes of myocardial ischemia.

Results

Obstructive intramural coronary amyloidosis was present in 63 of 96 patients (66%). Microscopic changes of myocardial ischemia were more common in patients with obstructive intramural coronary amyloidosis (86%) than in those without (52%) (P <.001). In the 76 patients without coexistent severe epicardial coronary atherosclerosis, changes of myocardial ischemia were more common in those with obstructive intramural coronary amyloidosis (83%) than in those without (45%) (P <.001). In patients who had tissue available for review, none had obstruction of epicardial coronary arteries from amyloid. Syndromes of myocardial ischemia affected 16 patients (25%) with obstructive intramural coronary amyloidosis but only 2 patients (6%) without (P=.027). For 11% of the patients with obstructive intramural coronary amyloidosis, a syndrome of myocardial ischemia consisting of acute myocardial infarction or angina pectoris was the first manifestation of primary amyloidosis.

Conclusion

Most patients with primary systemic amyloidosis and cardiac involvement have obstructive intramural coronary amyloidosis and associated microscopic changes of myocardial ischemia. Syndromes of myocardial ischemia may occur in these patients.

Keywords:  Amyloidosis , Ischemic heart disease , Pathology

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PII: S0002-9343(05)00448-1

doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2005.06.017

The American Journal of Medicine
Volume 118, Issue 11 , Pages 1287.e1-1287.e7, November 2005

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