Amyloid deposits in heart valves.

Localized amyloid deposits were found in 44% of the surgically removed heart valves. They are recognized only in severely destructed valves and the manner of the deposition closely resembles that of aortic intimal amyloid. Although the amyloid fibril protein of the chronically diseased valves is still unknown, it may be neither protein AA nor AL, and another type of amyloid is suggested.