Cardiac Amyloid - A Hidden Contributor to Cardiac Dysfunction Following Cardiac Surgery: Case Report and Literature Review

We present two patients who underwent cardiac surgery followed by post-operative low cardiac output, diastolic dysfunction and resistance to inotropic support. Despite aggressive medical management, both patients died. At autopsy, the hearts were enlarged and showed previously undiagnosed myocardial and vascular amyloidosis. Occult cardiac amyloidosis is an uncommon, often occult, contributor to post-operative complications post cardiac surgery. Pre-operative or intra-operative myocardial biopsy may be useful in patients with unexplained diastolic dysfunction. BRIEF SUMMARY: We present two patients who underwent cardiac surgery followed by low cardiac output, diastolic dysfunction and resistance to inotropic support. Cardiac dysfunction was due to occult amyloidosis. Pre-operative or intra-operative myocardial biopsy may be useful in patients with unexplained diastolic dysfunction. With recent therapy advances, classification and possible treatment of amyloid are possible.