[Restrictive myocardiopathy caused by endomyocardial fibrosis]

Endomyocardial fibrosis, an uncommon condition, is the most important cause of restrictive cardiomyopathy. Etiology of endomyocardial fibrosis is unknown, but evidence continues to accumulate that a close connection exists between eosinophilia and endomyocardial disease. Patients with this condition respond poorly to medical treatment, and survival is only for a few months or years when late stage heart disease is present. Surgery is nowadays recommended in these cases. A marked eosinophilia was found in a 58 years old woman that was admitted to the hospital because of a severe congestive cardiac insufficiency. Two-dimensional echocardiographic study and typical angiographic appearance suggested the presence of endomyocardial fibrosis. Endocardectomy and mitral valvular replacement were performed.