In the last 10 years(1977-1987), 53 patients with endomyocardial fibrosis were submitted to endocardial decortication and atrioventricular valve replacement. There were 42 female and 11 male patients, ranging in age from 11 to 59 years (mean 31). The patients were divided into three groups: Group I included 25 patients with bilateral disease; Group II consisted of 23 patients with endomyocardial fibrosis of the right side; and Group III included 5 patients with the disease confined to the left ventricle. All were in Functional Class III or IV (New York Heart Association classification). The 30-day mortality was 20.7% (11 cases). The remainder 42 patients survived the early postoperative period which was quite stormy in 21 (39.6%). There were 10 (18.8%) late deaths. One patient was reoperated two years later to replace the mitral valve which had been preserved during the first intervention. Among the 32 survivors (mean follow-up 4.1 patients/year), 22 (41,5%) are in Functional Class I or II. The actuarial curve showed that the 5-year probability of survival is 75%. Despite the high early and late mortality, and the fact that only 41.5% of the operated patients had good clinical improvement in the late postoperative period, surgical treatment is, at present, the only hope for patients with endomyocardial fibrosis. Technical aspects of the operation are outlined.
endomyocardial fibrosis