title: Endomyocardial fibrosis.
abstract: We report the case of a 51-year-old man of central African origin. Medical evaluation revealed severe heart failure. Echocardiography disclosed poor left ventricular function. The apex of the left ventricle showed complete obliteration and retraction. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed subendocardial hyperenhancement of the apex of the left and right ventricle, strongly suggesting endomyocardial fibrosis. For this particular patient a conservative approach (non-surgical) was decided on, and until now--12 months after termination of cardiac rehabilitation--proves successful.
authors: Department of Cardiology, Antwerp University Hospital, Belgium. tom.vermeulen@uza.be
authors: Tom
authors: T
authors: Vermeulen
authors: Viviane M
authors: VM
authors: Conraads
authors: Christiaan J
authors: CJ
authors: Vrints
authors: Bernard P
authors: BP
authors: Paelinck
mesh_terms: D004719:Endomyocardial Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis