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Genetic Analysis of Hereditary Transthyretin Ala97Ser Related Amyloidosis
Published on: June 9, 2018
Unexpected manifestation of cardiac amyloidosis
Sauid Ishaq1,2, Fei Lin1, Joe Martins3
1Department of Gastroenterology and Cardiology, Dudley group of Hospital, Dudley, UK.
Insights
Cardiac amyloidosis diagnosis is challenging. Unexplained, recurrent ascites may indicate this serious heart condition, prompting earlier detection and intervention for better outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Internal Medicine
- Nephrology
Background:
- Cardiac amyloidosis is a progressive condition often diagnosed late.
- Hypertension and left ventricular systolic dysfunction are common comorbidities.
- Ascites can be a non-specific symptom in cardiovascular disease.
Observation:
- A patient presented with unexplained, recurrent ascites and stable hypertension.
- Cardiovascular symptoms were initially non-specific, delaying diagnosis.
- The patient experienced significant cardiovascular deterioration over two years.
Findings:
- Cardiac amyloidosis was diagnosed at an end-stage after a two-year diagnostic delay.
- Unexplained, recurrent ascites was a prominent, yet initially misleading, symptom.
- The case highlights diagnostic challenges in identifying cardiac amyloidosis.
Implications:
- There is a need for improved diagnostic criteria for cardiac amyloidosis.
- Unexplained, recurrent ascites should be considered a potential early indicator.
- Earlier recognition of cardiac amyloidosis can improve patient prognosis.
Abstract:
This report discusses an unusual case of cardiac amyloidosis. We report a patient who presented with unexplained ascites on a background of stable hypertension and mild left ventricular systolic dysfunction, cardiovascular complaints commonly associated with age. Due to the unspecific nature of his cardiovascular symptoms, it took 2 years of recurrent, unresolved ascites, numerous investigations, shifting differential diagnoses and significant cardiovascular deterioration before cardiac amyloidosis was recognised, by which the disease was at end stage. This case emphasises the need for more discriminating clinical features in the diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis and advocates unexplained, recurrent ascites as a possible candidate.
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