# High-Grade Atrioventricular Block Reveals Rare Transthyretin Cardiac Amyloidosis With Unique Hemodynamics

**Authors:** Zeyad J Rifai, Mohamad H Sukkari, Samie Gilani, Abhishek Kulkarni

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.58166 · 2024-04-13

## TL;DR

A rare case of heart block revealed a rare condition called transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis with unusual blood pressure changes.

## Contribution

Highlights a rare case linking high-grade AV block to undiagnosed ATTR amyloidosis with unique hemodynamics.

## Key findings

- High-grade AV block was linked to undiagnosed transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis.
- Patient exhibited severe supine hypertension and orthostatic hypotension.
- Treatment with Tafamidis was initiated after pacemaker placement.

## Abstract

Atrioventricular (AV) block is a common cardiac conduction disorder that is frequently encountered in clinical practice; however, the association with rare systemic conditions such as transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) is heavily underdiagnosed. ATTR amyloidosis is a systemic disorder characterized by the deposition of abnormal transthyretin protein fibrosis in various organs including the heart and vasculature, resulting in progressive organ dysfunction. We present a rare case of high-grade AV block unveiling ATTR cardiac amyloidosis with unusual hemodynamics, specifically severe supine hypertension with severe orthostatic hypotension. These findings posed a diagnostic challenge, underscoring the importance of a comprehensive diagnostic approach and meticulous review of medical history. Following pacemaker placement and the diagnosis of ATTR cardiac amyloidosis, our patient was started on a Tafamidis regimen.

## Linked entities

- **Chemicals:** Tafamidis (PubChem CID 11001318)
- **Diseases:** atrioventricular block (MONDO:0000465), orthostatic hypotension (MONDO:0005469)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** TTR (transthyretin) [NCBI Gene 7276] {aka AMYLD1, ATTR, CTS, CTS1, HEL111, HsT2651}
- **Diseases:** fibrosis (MESH:D005355), disorder (MESH:D009358), orthostatic hypotension (MESH:D007024), cardiac conduction disorder (MESH:D001145), organ dysfunction (MESH:D009102), AV block (MESH:D054537), hypertension (MESH:D006973), ATTR (MESH:C567782)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Figures

2 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC11089428/full.md

---
Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC11089428