Primary systemic amyloidosis with bloody pericardial effusion

Abstract

A 73-year-old woman was admitted due to exertional dyspnea. It was considered that a large amount of pericardial effusion caused diastolic heart failure; pericardial paracentesis showed bloody effusion. There were no findings of malignancy or other abnormal findings in the examination. Further examinations were planned but she died of ventricular tachycardia attack. Pathological autopsy revealed primary systemic amyloidosis. Pathologically it was possible that the local inflammation (epicarditis) due to the deposition of amyloid in the epicardium and perivascular tissue caused the bloody effusion. There are no reports of primary systemic amyloidosis with hemorrhagic pericardial effusion. We report this rare case with pathological consideration. © 2009 The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine.