ENDOMYOCARDIAL FIBROSIS IN BAHIA, BRAZIL

Abstract

A clini-cal and pathological study of 4 cases of endomyocardial fibrosis in Bahia, Brazil, is reported. Patients presented a prolonged course of cardiac failure with dyspnea and ascites as the main symptoms. Endocardial fibrosis involved the right and sometimes the left ventricle and extended to the inner 1/3 or 1/2 of. the myocardium. Embolic phenomena were rare. It may be of importance to note that in the state of Bahia, Brazil, there is some ethnic, climatic, and socio-economic resemblance to African regions where endomyocardial fibrosis has been reported.