Glivec Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Glivec, including details on gleevec, imatinib, cancer, treatment, side-effects.

Loeffler endocarditis: what have we learned?

Benezet-Mazuecos J, de la Fuente A, Marcos-Alberca P, Farre J

Department of Cardiology, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain. jbenezet@yahoo.es

Loeffler endocarditis, eosinophilic endomyocardial disease or fibroplastic endocarditis appears to be a subcategory of the Hypereosinophilic syndrome in which the heart is predominantly involved. It is an uncommon myocardial disease, thought to be secondary to eosinophils damage, characterized by fibrous thickening of the endocardium of one or both ventricles, leading to apical obliteration and multiple cardiovascular complications. Despite all the efforts, the ultimate responsible mechanisms of this entity remain unresolved. Many theories have been raised trying to explain this phenomenon, but nowadays the enigma in relation to the different patterns of evolution continues. In this concise review we discuss the different pathophysiologic theories postulated and the management of the cardiovascular complications. Perhaps it will serve to assist in recognition of patients with the same condition around the world.

Published 17 September 2007 in Am J Hematol, 82(10): 861-2.
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