Introduction:
Patients with late-onset transthyretin Val30Met-associated hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (hATTR) in non-endemic areas still remain undiagnosed because of diverse clinical presentations and various non-specific symptoms.
Case presentation:
A 76-year-old male patient presented with progressive numbness, pain and weakness in his limbs, sweating, constipation and unexplained weight loss over the past seven years. He has shortness of breath, edema and hypotension for one month. The low QRS voltage on limb leads was not consistent with left ventricular hypertrophy, which is an important clue of cardiac amyloidosis (CA). The results of echocardiography speckle tracking imaging were consistent with CA. Serum immunofixation electrophoresis was negative, and serum-free light chain Fκ/Fλ ratio is normal or close to normal (0.26-1.65) for the patient, so AL amyloidosis can be excluded. A missense mutation c. 148 G-A Val30Met (p.Val50Met) was detected in TTR gene sequencing. The genetic finding confirmed hATTR Val30Met, familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) and CA for the patient. The treatment effect was poor, and he died of cardiac involvement.
Conclusion:
It is challenge to make early diagnosis in patients with hATTR, due to the diversity of symptoms. Echocardiography is a vital tool in initial diagnosis. Genetic testing played vital roles in the definitive diagnosis of this disease. Raising awareness is critical for early diagnosis and provides opportunities for early treatment.