Clinical course of endomyocardial fibrosis

The survival pattern, morbidity, and clinical course of 145 patients with endomyocardial fibrosis who were followed up between November 1975 and June 1987 were studied. The diagnosis was confirmed in all cases by cardiac angiography, or echocardiography, or necropsy. Percentage survival at the end of one and 9.5 years was 76.11 and 26.35 respectively. History, physical examination, electrocardiography, and cardiac catheterisation were studied at the first presentation. The determinants of early mortality were studied by univariate Kaplan-Meier estimates compared by the log rank test and Cox proportional hazards multiple regression analysis. Significant univariate predictors of early mortality were QRS axis above +90 degrees, intraventricular conduction delay (QRS duration greater than 0.12 s), duration of symptoms before presentation, New York Heart Association functional classes III and IV, presence of embolic episodes, right atrial mean pressures greater than 20 mm Hg, right ventricular end diastolic pressure greater than 20 mm Hg, and aortic oxygen saturation less than 85%. The significant multivariate predictors of mortality were cyanosis, New York Heart Association functional class at first presentation, and right atrial mean pressure greater than 20 mm Hg. The bleak prognosis of endomyocardial fibrosis did not substantially improve despite advances in the medical management of congestive cardiac failure during the period of the study.