Cardiac involvement in heavy and light chain amyloidosis: A case report and literature review

INTRODUCTION: Heavy and light chain amyloidosis is an extremely rare condition. There are few reports referring to the clinical impact of cardiac involvement in heavy and light chain amyloidosis, and the significance of myocardial impairment has not yet been completely explained. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 66-year-old Japanese man was admitted to our hospital presenting with nephrotic syndrome and congestive heart failure. DIAGNOSIS: Kidney and endoscopic gastric mucosal biopsy demonstrated congophilic hyalinization in most of the glomeruli and surrounding vessel walls, which were highly positive for immunoglobulin A and lambda. Finally, the patient was diagnosed as an atypical multiple myeloma with systemic heavy and light chain amyloidosis. INTERVENTIONS: The patient was referred to hematology for further treatment and was moved to another hospital for the administration of chemotherapy using melphalan and dexamethasone. OUTCOMES: The patient was still alive after 15-month follow-up from the initial diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Initial screening and follow-up for cardiac involvement are important for heavy and light chain amyloidosis. Further investigation for the prognosis of heavy and light chain amyloidosis is required to improve the strategies of diagnosis and treatment options for patients with this disease.