Abrupt Onset of Refractory Heart Failure Associated With Light-Chain Amyloidosis in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. 2017

Benedetta Tomberli, and Francesco Cappelli, and Federico Perfetto, and Iacopo Olivotto
Referral Center for Cardiomyopathies, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy.

The natural history of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is complex and may include progressive heart failure and severe left ventricular dysfunction. When disease progression is abrupt, however, other coexisting diseases should be ruled out. This may be difficult in the case of amyloidosis, which classically mimics HCM. We present an example of severe clinical deterioration in a patient with HCM due to superimposed amyloid light-chain amyloidosis. A man in his 70s with a longstanding history of genetically confirmed HCM presented with rapid development of congestive heart failure over 6 months, in sharp contrast to a previously stable, asymptomatic clinical course. He was diagnosed as having the illness in his late 40s after a resuscitated cardiac arrest and regularly followed up on a yearly basis. His most recent electrocardiogram was profoundly changed from previous tracings, with marked and diffuse voltage reduction (QS in V1-V3) and inferolateral T-wave inversion. The echocardiogram showed an abrupt increase in the severity of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, with a concentric rather than asymmetric appearance, granular sparkling of the myocardium, biatrial enlargement, thickening of the mitral valve leaflets, and interatrial septum and mild pericardial effusion. Severe LV dysfunction with a restrictive LV filling pattern was evident, which is associated with LV outflow tract obstruction loss and right ventricle systolic impairment. Following hospital admission, multiple myeloma was diagnosed and confirmed by bone marrow biopsy and aspiration. Furthermore, abdominal fat aspiration showed amyloid deposition and confirmed the diagnosis of amyloid light-chain amyloidosis. Electrocardiograms, echocardiographic images, and videos presented in this report describe the abrupt and marked evolution of a sarcomeric to infiltrative cardiomyopathy, leading to an ominous outcome in which the patient died despite specific treatment. While progression to the end-stage phase occurs over several years for patients with HCM and can be detected at relatively early stages, the abrupt onset of congestive heart failure is uncommon and should raise suspicion of other, superimposed cardiac diseases.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D009101 Multiple Myeloma A malignancy of mature PLASMA CELLS engaging in monoclonal immunoglobulin production. It is characterized by hyperglobulinemia, excess Bence-Jones proteins (free monoclonal IMMUNOGLOBULIN LIGHT CHAINS) in the urine, skeletal destruction, bone pain, and fractures. Other features include ANEMIA; HYPERCALCEMIA; and RENAL INSUFFICIENCY. Myeloma, Plasma-Cell,Kahler Disease,Myeloma, Multiple,Myeloma-Multiple,Myelomatosis,Plasma Cell Myeloma,Cell Myeloma, Plasma,Cell Myelomas, Plasma,Disease, Kahler,Multiple Myelomas,Myeloma Multiple,Myeloma, Plasma Cell,Myeloma-Multiples,Myelomas, Multiple,Myelomas, Plasma Cell,Myelomas, Plasma-Cell,Myelomatoses,Plasma Cell Myelomas,Plasma-Cell Myeloma,Plasma-Cell Myelomas
D002312 Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic A form of CARDIAC MUSCLE disease, characterized by left and/or right ventricular hypertrophy (HYPERTROPHY, LEFT VENTRICULAR; HYPERTROPHY, RIGHT VENTRICULAR), frequent asymmetrical involvement of the HEART SEPTUM, and normal or reduced left ventricular volume. Risk factors include HYPERTENSION; AORTIC STENOSIS; and gene MUTATION; (FAMILIAL HYPERTROPHIC CARDIOMYOPATHY). Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic Obstructive,Cardiomyopathies, Hypertrophic,Cardiomyopathies, Hypertrophic Obstructive,Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathies,Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy,Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathies,Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy,Obstructive Cardiomyopathies, Hypertrophic,Obstructive Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic
D006333 Heart Failure A heterogeneous condition in which the heart is unable to pump out sufficient blood to meet the metabolic need of the body. Heart failure can be caused by structural defects, functional abnormalities (VENTRICULAR DYSFUNCTION), or a sudden overload beyond its capacity. Chronic heart failure is more common than acute heart failure which results from sudden insult to cardiac function, such as MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION. Cardiac Failure,Heart Decompensation,Congestive Heart Failure,Heart Failure, Congestive,Heart Failure, Left-Sided,Heart Failure, Right-Sided,Left-Sided Heart Failure,Myocardial Failure,Right-Sided Heart Failure,Decompensation, Heart,Heart Failure, Left Sided,Heart Failure, Right Sided,Left Sided Heart Failure,Right Sided Heart Failure
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000075363 Immunoglobulin Light-chain Amyloidosis A nonproliferative disorder of PLASMA CELLS characterized by excessive production and misfolding of IMMUNOGLOBULIN LIGHT CHAINS that form insoluble amyloid fibrils (see AMYLOID DEPOSITS) in various tissues. Clinical features include LIVER FAILURE; MULTIPLE MYELOMA; NEPHROTIC SYNDROME; RESTRICTIVE CARDIOMYOPATHY, and neuropathies. Monoclonal Immunoglobulin Deposition Disease,AL Amyloidosis,Amyloidosis, Immunoglobulin Light-chain,Amyloidosis, Primary,Primary Amyloidosis,Primary Systemic Amyloidosis,AL Amyloidoses,Amyloidoses, Primary,Amyloidoses, Primary Systemic,Amyloidosis, Immunoglobulin Light chain,Amyloidosis, Primary Systemic,Immunoglobulin Light chain Amyloidosis,Immunoglobulin Light-chain Amyloidoses,Primary Amyloidoses,Primary Systemic Amyloidoses,Systemic Amyloidoses, Primary,Systemic Amyloidosis, Primary
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly
D000686 Amyloidosis A group of sporadic, familial and/or inherited, degenerative, and infectious disease processes, linked by the common theme of abnormal protein folding and deposition of AMYLOID. As the amyloid deposits enlarge they displace normal tissue structures, causing disruption of function. Various signs and symptoms depend on the location and size of the deposits. Amyloidoses
D001707 Biopsy, Needle Removal and examination of tissue obtained through a transdermal needle inserted into the specific region, organ, or tissue being analyzed. Aspiration Biopsy,Puncture Biopsy,Aspiration Biopsies,Biopsies, Aspiration,Biopsies, Needle,Biopsies, Puncture,Biopsy, Aspiration,Biopsy, Puncture,Needle Biopsies,Needle Biopsy,Puncture Biopsies
D017668 Age of Onset The age, developmental stage, or period of life at which a disease or the initial symptoms or manifestations of a disease appear in an individual. Age-at-Onset,Age at Onset,Onset Age

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