Death during coronary angiography in a woman with cardiac amyloidosis

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Nephrology
• Systemic Diseases

Background:

• Amyloidosis is a systemic disease characterized by extracellular deposition of misfolded proteins.
• Cardiac involvement in amyloidosis significantly worsens patient prognosis, with a median survival of only 4 months post-congestive heart failure diagnosis.
• Diagnostic procedures in patients with suspected cardiac amyloidosis require careful consideration due to potential risks.

Observation:

• A 72-year-old female patient presented for diagnostic coronary angiography.
• The patient had undiagnosed cardiac amyloidosis.
• The patient experienced a fatal complication during the procedure.

Findings:

• The patient died during the diagnostic coronary angiography procedure.
• The cause of death was attributed to unsuspected cardiac amyloidosis.
• This represents the first reported case of mortality during coronary angiography secondary to cardiac amyloidosis.

Implications:

• Highlights the critical need for pre-procedural screening for cardiac amyloidosis in at-risk populations.
• Underscores the potential risks associated with invasive cardiac procedures in patients with undiagnosed cardiac amyloidosis.
• Emphasizes the importance of recognizing cardiac amyloidosis as a potential cause of sudden death during diagnostic procedures.