Primary endocardial fibroelastosis with dilated cardiomyopathy: report of one case

Yen-Ting Chou1, Jou-Kou Wang, Hung-Chieh Chou

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.

Acta Paediatrica Taiwanica = Taiwan Er Ke Yi Xue Hui Za Zhi
|February 13, 2008
PubMed

Insights

A premature infant diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy experienced rapid heart failure. Despite treatment, the condition progressed, leading to death and confirmed endocardial fibroelastosis postmortem.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Cardiology
  • Pediatric Pathology

Background:

  • Dilated cardiomyopathy is a serious cardiac condition affecting premature infants.
  • Early detection and management are crucial for improving outcomes in neonatal heart failure.

Observation:

  • A 27-week gestational age premature infant presented with respiratory distress and heart failure shortly after birth.
  • Prenatal sonography identified left ventricular enlargement, raising concerns for cardiac anomalies.
  • Postnatal echocardiograms revealed dilated cardiomyopathy, with suspected endocardial fibroelastosis.

Findings:

  • The infant's heart failure worsened despite aggressive inotropic agent therapy.
  • Circulatory failure occurred on the fifteenth day of life.
  • Postmortem examination definitively diagnosed endocardial fibroelastosis.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the critical presentation of endocardial fibroelastosis in extremely premature infants.
  • It underscores the challenges in managing severe neonatal heart failure and the importance of comprehensive postmortem analysis.
  • Further research into the etiology and treatment of endocardial fibroelastosis in neonates is warranted.

Related Concept Videos

Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy01:30

Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a progressive myocardial disorder characterized by ventricular chamber dilation and contractile dysfunction.EtiologyVarious factors can cause DCM, including hypertension and heavy alcohol intake, which contribute to the weakening and enlargement of the heart muscle. Viral infections, such as Coxsackievirus B, adenoviruses, and influenza, can lead to DCM by causing inflammation and damage to heart tissue. Certain chemotherapeutic agents, including daunorubicin,...
Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a rare heart muscle disease characterized by impaired ventricular filling due to stiffened ventricular walls, leading to significant diastolic dysfunction.EtiologyRestrictive cardiomyopathy can arise from both inherited and acquired diseases, many of which are systemic. It is categorized into four main types: infiltrative, storage, non-infiltrative, and endomyocardial diseases.Infiltrative diseases, such as amyloidosis, lead to RCM by depositing amyloid...
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification01:25

Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification

Cardiomyopathy, or CMP, is a group of diseases affecting the myocardial structure, impairing its ability to pump blood effectively. This condition can lead to arrhythmias, heart failure, or sudden cardiac death.Cardiomyopathies are classified into primary and secondary categories:Primary Cardiomyopathy refers to conditions involving only the heart muscle that are often idiopathic (of unknown cause) or genetic. They primarily affect the myocardium without the involvement of other systemic...
Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction01:23

Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction

Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...
Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology01:29

Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology

Systolic Heart Failure and Compensatory MechanismsSystolic heart failure (also termed HFrEF, Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) is the most prevalent type of heart filure. It results in a decreased volume of blood being pumped from the ventricle. The aortic arch and carotid sinuses have baroreceptors that detect reduced blood pressure, triggering the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to release epinephrine and norepinephrine. Initially, this response aims to boost heart rate and...