[Hereditary amyloid cardiomyopathy related to a mutation at transthyretin protein number 111. A clinical, genetic and echocardiographic study of an affected Danish family].

Abstract

Amyloidosis is a group of diseases characterized by amyloid deposition in various tissues. The diseases can roughly be divided into hereditary and non-hereditary forms. The hereditary forms are related to a mutation in the serum protein transthyretin which is produced mainly in the liver. The inheritance is autosomal dominant. A family in Denmark has earlier been described as having inherited cardiac amyloidosis with a mutation at amino acid number 111 in the transthyretin protein. The family now has been re-examined because of new diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities. The aims of the study were to identify carriers and non-carriers of the mutant transthyretin methionine 111 linked familial amyloid disease, to detect early signs of the restrictive cardiomyopathy and other clinical manifestations of this disease. Clinical, echocardiographic and genetic examination was carried out. Out of 125 living family members, 99 were available for examination. Twenty-five persons were heterozygous carriers of the mutant transthyretin methionine 111 genotype, while 74 were non-carriers. Eight carriers, all above the age of 35, showed echocardiographic abnormalities suggestive of developing or manifest restrictive cardiomyopathy. Nine carriers had carpal tunnel syndrome as opposed to none of the non-carriers. It is concluded that for early detection of familial amyloid cardiomyopathy, echocardiography is the investigation of choice. The first sign is diastolic dysfunction detected as an abnormal relaxation pattern. Carpal tunnel syndrome appears to be the earliest presenting clinical symptom. Early liver transplantation seems to be curative.

• Authors: I H Svendsen, F Steensgaard-Hansen, B Y Nordvåg
• Journal: Ugeskrift for laeger (Ugeskr Laeger) Vol. 161 Issue 36 Pg. 4995-9 (Sep 06 1999) ISSN: 0041-5782 [Print] Denmark
• Vernacular Title: Hereditaer amyloid kardiomyopati relateret til en mutation på plads nr. 111 i transthyretinproteinet. En klinisk, genetisk og ekkokardiografisk undersøgelse af en afficeret dansk familie.
• PMID: 10489791 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• Prealbumin
• Methionine

Topics

• Adolescent
• Amyloidosis (diagnosis, diagnostic imaging, genetics)
• Cardiomyopathies (diagnosis, diagnostic imaging, genetics)
• Child
• Denmark
• Echocardiography, Doppler
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Methionine (genetics)
• Middle Aged
• Mutation
• Pedigree
• Prealbumin (genetics)