CARDIAC AMYLOIDOSIS

Abstract

CARDIAC amyloidosis is a distinct although rare type of organic heart disease in which the clinical findings are believed to be related to the variable deposition of amyloid in the pericardium, valves, myocardium and smaller blood vessels. 1 The purposes of this report are (1) to present 2 cases of cardiac amyloidosis in which electrocardiograms suggested the diagnosis of myocardial infarction, (2) to review the available electrocardiographic data on cardiac amyloidosis and (3) to comment on the relationship of the electrocardiographic findings to the pathologic changes in the myocardium. REPORT OF CASES CASE 1. —A. B., a 67 year old widow, was admitted to the Beth Israel hospital on Aug. 30, 1946, because of the swelling of the abdomen of two weeks' duration. Sixteen months before her entry she was seen in the outpatient department because of headache. Physical examination at that time revealed a blood pressure of 210 systolic