Detection of a rare cause of pulmonary hypertension by multimodality imaging: Left ventricular endomyocardial fibrosis

Abstract

Endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF), a restrictive cardiomyopathy characterized by subendocardial fibrosis, is commonly seen in tropical and subtropical regions. EMF involving the left ventricle presents with severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) and is a rare cause of PH in non-tropical areas. Multimodality imaging is important for accurate diagnosis, especially cardiac magnetic resonance imaging which is the cornerstone. Herein, we report the case of a patient who presented with heart failure symptoms and severe PH, and in whom EMF was diagnosed by multimodality imaging.

Keywords: cardiac magnetic resonance; echocardiography; endomyocardial fibrosis; multimodality imaging; pulmonary hypertension.