Cardiac amyloidosis in the cardiosurgical operating room - a rare but fatal trap

Abstract

Coronary artery bypass grafting resulted in a fatal outcome in two patients with unsuspected cardiac amyloidosis. Despite preoperative symptoms of myocardial ischemia, each case represented a different pathophysiological combination of cardiac amyloidosis and coronary artery disease.

Pitfalls preventing correct diagnosis and possible patterns of treatment are discussed.

Keywords

• coronary bypass surgery
• myocardial infarction
• cardiomyopathy