The Physiologic and Clinical Similarity Between Primary Amyloid of the Heart and Constrictive Pericarditis

Abstract

When primary amyloid infiltrates the myocardium, there is a loss of distensibility and a resistance to contraction similar to that seen in constrictive pericarditis. The clinical similarity between these two entities has been noted previously on only a few occasions and only one previous case of amyloid has had catheterization studies. A case of amyloid of the heart is presented with catheterization studies and the reasons for the clinical and physiologic similarity to constrictive pericarditis are discussed.