Ten-year follow-up after autologous stem cell transplantation of a patient with immunoglobulin light-chain (AL) amyloidosis with deposits in the heart, liver and gastrointestinal tract

BMJ Case Rep. 2011 Aug 17:2011:bcr0320114007. doi: 10.1136/bcr.03.2011.4007.

Abstract

The prognosis in amyloid light chain (AL)-amyloidosis and multiorgan involvement is poor, with a high-treatment-related mortality after high-dose melphalan and autologous stem cell transplantation (HDM/SCT). Some patients, however, might benefit from the therapy. We report a case of cardiac AL-amyloidosis with multiorgan involvement where the progressive cardiomyopathy was halted after successful treatment with HDM/SCT in 2001. The patient is in an excellent cardiac condition with a good quality of life, receiving treatment with angiotensinogen receptor blockers and a flexible diuretics regimen at follow-up after 10 years.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Amyloidosis / immunology
  • Amyloidosis / pathology
  • Amyloidosis / surgery*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / immunology
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / surgery*
  • Heart Diseases / immunology
  • Heart Diseases / pathology
  • Heart Diseases / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Light Chains / metabolism*
  • Liver Diseases / immunology
  • Liver Diseases / surgery*
  • Melphalan / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Myeloablative Agonists / therapeutic use
  • Myocardium / pathology
  • Stem Cell Transplantation*

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin Light Chains
  • Myeloablative Agonists
  • Melphalan