We describe a 76-year-old Japanese woman with primary systemic amyloidosis who presented with angina pectoris associated
with ST-segment and T-wave abnormalities resulting from intramyocardial coronary artery amyloidosis. The patient was admitted
to our hospital because of dyspnea and pretibial edema 7 years after the diagnosis of variant angina. A diagnosis of primary
systemic amyloidosis (AL amyloid protein) was made after examination of gastric and endomyocardial biopsy specimens. The patient
died of progressive, uncontrolled heart failure 3 months later. An autopsy study demonstrated only mild-to-moderate atherosclerosis
in the epicardial coronary arteries. However, histological examination of the heart revealed diffuse stenoses and obstructions
in the intramural coronary arteries by amyloid deposits. This patient had small-vessel coronary disease with ST-segment changes
and angina caused by cardiac amyloidosis. A correct diagnosis of ischemic heart disease due to primary amyloidosis is important
for estimation of the prognosis and for appropriate management.
Key words Cardiac amyloidosis - Coronary small-vessel disease - Endomyocardial biopsy - Vasospastic angina
Received: November 5, 2001 / Accepted: February 5, 2002