Fibrosis endomiocárdica crónica: reporte de caso en área no endémica / Chronic endomyocardial fibrosis: case report in a non-endemic area

ABSTRACT

Endomyocardial fibrosis is a known and prevalent cause of restrictive cardiomyopathy in countries of Equatorial Africa, but very rare elsewhere. Although the diagnosis in endemic countries is established by the presence of certain echocardiographic criteria, the gold standard is the endomyocardial biopsy, which shows fibrous tissue in the endocardium. An acute and subacute phase can be distinguished, with associated mortality due to complications of heart failure. In contrast, the chronic phase presents less aggressive behavior, with progression of symptoms. In this phase, surgical treatment may improve survival. We present the case of a 44-year-old patient with good clinical control under pharmacological treatment after 14 months of follow-up.