Endomyocardial fibrosis: an enigmatic cause for a giant left atrium.
Endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) was first described in 1948. It is an idiopathic disorder, characterized by the formation of fibrous tissue on the endocardial aspect of one or both ventricles, resulting in a restrictive cardiomyopathy with atrial enlargement. Originally described in Uganda, numerous cases have also been described in the Middle East.
Ker
James
J
University of Pretoria-Physiology, PO Box 24318, Gesina, Pretoria, South Africa, 0031. jker@wol.co.za
D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004452:Echocardiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004719:Endomyocardial Fibrosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged