[Myocardial pyrophosphate uptake in cardiac amyloidosis: report of case]

We report a previously healthy 73 years old woman, who was hospitalised with increasing dyspnea and signs of congestive heart failure. Echocardiography showed a normal left ventricular cavity with increased echogenicity of its walls and severe pulmonary hypertension. A lung ventilation/perfusion scintigraphy concluded that there was a low probability for pulmonary embolism. Coronary angiography was normal. A restrictive cardiomyopathy due to amyloid deposits was suspected. Myocardial pyrophosphate scintigraphy showed intense pyrophosphate uptake in the left ventricle wall. An abdominal fat tissue biopsy was positive for amyloid deposits.