Abstract
BackgroundEndomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) is a rare condition and a major cause of death in tropical countries. The etiology of EMF remains elusive, and no specific treatment has been developed yet, therefore it carries poor prognosis.Case presentationAn 81-year-old male Chinese patient with a history of long-standing exertional breathlessness, presented with worsening symptoms rapidly evolving to orthopnea. A proper specific treatment was prescribed to the patient in the following days, including diuretics, angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor and beta blockers. The patient died of progressive multiple organ failure.ConclusionEchocardiography is technically limited due to the acoustic shadowing as a result of the calcification. Chest computed tomography is a more accurate diagnostic tool to examine the anatomic distribution and extent of endomyocardial calcification in this rare case.
Highlights
Endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) is a rare condition and a major cause of death in tropical countries
EMF is a major cause of restrictive cardiomyopathy with 10–12 million estimated cases worldwide [1]
The etiology of EMF has remained elusive, and there is no specific and/or effective treatment, both of which contribute to its poor prognosis
Summary
Echocardiography is technically limited due to the acoustic shadowing as a result of the calcification.
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