Annual electrocardiograms consistent with silent progression of cardiac involvement in sporadic familial amyloid polyneuropathy: a case report

Intern Med. 2010;49(2):139-44. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.49.2703. Epub 2010 Jan 15.

Abstract

Understanding the clinical characteristics of transthyretin familial amyloid polyneuropathy (TTR-FAP) is critical for early diagnosis and timely referral for liver transplantation. Here, we describe a 52-year-old man who had slight paresthesia for four years and whose final diagnosis of TTR-cardiac amyloidosis caused by sporadic FAP was delayed despite annual electrocardiography. Curative liver transplantation was postponed because of progressive cardiac involvement. This experience highlights the difficulties associated with diagnosing TTR-FAP, especially when it is sporadic, and underscores the importance of slight changes in ECG that could indicate FAP.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial / complications
  • Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial / diagnosis*
  • Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial / physiopathology
  • Amyloidosis, Familial / complications
  • Amyloidosis, Familial / diagnosis
  • Amyloidosis, Familial / physiopathology
  • Disease Progression
  • Electrocardiography / trends*
  • Heart Diseases / complications
  • Heart Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Heart Diseases / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged