Amyloid deposition in serosal membranes. Its occurrence with cardiac tamponade, bilateral ureteral obstruction, and gastrointestinal bleeding.

Widely dispersed amyloid deposition of the serosa occurring in a patient produced impairment of cardiac, renal, and gastrointestinal integrity by encasement. This patient survived the acute complications of both cardiac tamponade and bilateral ureteral obstruction due to amyloid. This case demonstrates the utility of resorting to aggressive life-support mechanisms despite an apparently systemic spread of amyloid disease in selected cases.