[The amyloidosis in cardiac conduction system].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between arrhythmia, cardiac failure and amyloidosis of cardiac conduction system (CCS).


METHODS
CCS from 6 cases with cardiac amyloidosis were sampled using technique designed by the authors. The CCS were studied by Congo red staining and polarization microscopy.


RESULTS
Pathological changes could be found in the CCS of these 6 cases. It was serious in sino-atrial node while slight in atrio-ventricular conduction system. The changes in atrio-ventricular conduction system were exacerbated from proximal part (atrio-ventricular node) to distal part (left bundle branch). In the 3 cases with sinus bradycardia and conduction blocking manifested by electrocardiogram, the pathological changes in CCS were more extensive and serious than that of other cases.


CONCLUSIONS
The amyloidosis in CCS is one of the pathological bases of arrhythmia.
Song
Y
Y
Research Institute of Forensic Medicine, Medical College of Shantou University, Shantou 515031.
Lin
H
H
Xu
X
X
Zhu
J
J
Laaksonen
H
H
Saukko
P
P
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000473:pathology*; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000503:physiopathology; D002036:Bundle of His / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008859:Microscopy, Polarization; D008875:Middle Aged