Heart valve involvement in familial amyloidosis with polyneuropathy

Pathol Res Pract. 1986 Oct;181(5):563-7. doi: 10.1016/S0344-0338(86)80150-9.

Abstract

Involvement of the heart is common in the various types of amyloidosis. Little attention has, however, been paid to the presence and significance of amyloid in cardiac valves. We examined the heart valves of twelve autopsy cases with familial amyloidosis with polyneuropathy. All leaflets showed more or less abundant amyloid infiltration with significant valvular aortic stenosis due to degenerative calcification in two cases. In familial amyloidosis with polyneuropathy, amyloid deposits are thus invariably present in the valves, but the valvular function is often preserved. Amyloid may, however, produce hemodynamically significant valvular lesions, and the importance of valvular involvement in the various types of amyloidosis may still be underestimated.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Amyloid / analysis
  • Amyloidosis / complications
  • Amyloidosis / genetics*
  • Amyloidosis / pathology
  • Female
  • Heart Valve Diseases / complications*
  • Heart Valve Diseases / pathology
  • Heart Valves / analysis
  • Heart Valves / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nervous System Diseases / complications*
  • Nervous System Diseases / pathology

Substances

  • Amyloid