Unexpected manifestation of cardiac amyloidosis

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.

Keywords: cirrhosis; heart failure.