title: Syncope in cardiac amyloidosis and chronic ischemic heart disease: A case report.
abstract: Primary systemic amyloidosis is a relatively uncommon disease characterized by the production and deposition of pathological insoluble fibrillar proteins in organs and tissues. It has been estimated that between one-third and one-half of all patients with primary amyloidosis experience clinically significant cardiac involvement. The present study reports a case involving a 77-year-old woman with ischemic heart disease who presented to the cardiology department because of syncope due to slow atrial fibrillation. Laboratory tests revealed a monoclonal spike in the gamma fraction and impairment of renal function, normocytic anemia, mild hypercalcemia, hypoalbuminemia and increased levels of beta-2 microglobulin. Suspicion of cardiac involvement was supported by the echocardiographic pattern and increased levels of troponin I and brain natriuretic peptide, along with clinical signs of heart failure and systemic amyloidosis diagnosis, confirmed by abdominal fat aspiration.
authors: Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
authors: Giacomo
authors: G
authors: Mugnai
authors: Mariantonietta
authors: M
authors: Cicoira
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Rossi
authors: Corrado
authors: C
authors: Vassanelli