A Case of Loeffler Endocarditis That Showed Endomyocardial Systolic Dysfunction Detected by Layer Specific Strain Analysis

Int Heart J. 2017 Dec 12;58(6):1001-1003. doi: 10.1536/ihj.16-422. Epub 2017 Nov 17.

Abstract

Loeffler endocarditis is a rare comprehensive cardiac manifestation caused by eosinophilic cell infiltrations and is present in 50%-60% of patients with hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES). Left ventricle (LV) endocardial systolic dysfunction is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in HES and Loeffler endocarditis. We present a case of Loeffler endocarditis, whose left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction and endocardial systolic dysfunction were first neglected by conventional transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), but were later pointed out by layer-specific longitudinal strain analysis. With timely initial therapeutic management, the patient's outcome was remarkable. Thus, we strongly recommend strain analysis as a necessary supplementary test of conventional TTE in all patients with Loeffler endocarditis.

Keywords: Longitudinal strain.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Echocardiography / methods*
  • Heart / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Hypereosinophilic Syndrome / diagnostic imaging*
  • Hypereosinophilic Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Systole