[An exceptional etiology of left ventricular aneurysm: type AA amyloidosis]

Arch Mal Coeur Vaiss. 2003 Apr;96(4):344-6.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Left ventricular aneurysms most often occur in the course of myocardial infarction. In rare cases they can be detected when the coronary network is devoid of any lesions. The aetiology is therefore multiple and dependent on the context. One aetiology seems less exceptional and concerns idiopathic aneurysms encountered in the African population, where the role of a "debilitating condition" such as tuberculosis has been evoked. We report the case history of a young patient from Zaire with a left ventricular aneurysm discovered in association with ganglionic tuberculosis complicated by AA amyloidosis. Histological analysis allowed the aetiological diagnosis to be established. Aneurysmal dilatation of the left ventricle was reported in the presence of amyloid deposits at the intra-myocardial arteriole level, whereas the context suggested a tubercular role. In spite of the difficulty of establishing a precise aetiological diagnosis, there seems to exist a consensus for surgical management.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Amyloidosis / etiology*
  • Aneurysm / complications*
  • Aneurysm / diagnosis
  • Aneurysm / diagnostic imaging
  • Echocardiography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Serum Amyloid A Protein*
  • Tuberculosis / complications
  • Tuberculosis / diagnosis
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / complications*
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / diagnosis
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / diagnostic imaging
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / surgery

Substances

  • Serum Amyloid A Protein