DOI: 10.12890/2025_005878

An unusual cause of unstable angina: endomyocardial fibrosis

Authors

  • Manuel Tapia Martinez Cardiology Department of Gomez Ulla Military Hospital, Madrid, Spain
  • Elena Basabe Velasco Cardiology Department of Gomez Ulla Military Hospital, Madrid, Spain
  • Matteo Romano Radiology Department of Gomez Ulla Military Hospital, Madrid, Spain
  • Edurne López Soberón Cardiology Department of Gomez Ulla Military Hospital, Madrid, Spain
  • Diego Jose Rodriguez Torres Cardiology Department of Gomez Ulla Military Hospital, Madrid, Spain

diegojrodrigueztorres@gmail.com

Keywords

Endomyocardial fibrosis, MRI diagnosis, tropical diseases, restrictive cardiomyopathy

Abstract

Although rare globally, endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) is the leading cause of restrictive cardiomyopathy in some tropical countries. However, its aetiology and pathogenesis remain unclear. Epidemiology data are limited but the highest prevalence has been reported in tropical regions, specifically sub-Saharan Africa.
EMF is characterized by apical filling with fibrotic tissue in one or both ventricles, often associated with thrombus and calcification. Most often it extends to the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, papillary muscle or chordae tendineae, causing atrioventricular valve dysfunction.
Transthoracic echocardiography is the first-line modality for assessment, but magnetic resonance imaging has emerged as a more accurate tool for the tissue characterization of this disease.

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References

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Published

2025-11-24

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 12 (2025)

Categories

How to Cite

1.
Tapia Martinez M, Basabe Velasco E, Romano M, López Soberón E, Rodriguez Torres DJ. An unusual cause of unstable angina: endomyocardial fibrosis. EJCRIM [Internet]. 2025 Nov. 24 [cited 2026 Nov. 3];12(12). Available from: https://ejcrim.com/index.php/ejcrim/article/view/5878