Jamaican Cardiomyopathy

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Abstract
Eight cases of a cardiomyopathy found in Jamaica are described. The ages ranged from 19-60 years. There were 6 men and''2 women. All the hearts were enlarged, the weights ranging from 480-370 g, except for 1 patient in whom the heart weighed 275 g. The principal pathological finding was fibrous thickening of the endocardium confined to the left side in 7 patients and most evident in the ventricles. Four hearts showed mural thrombi which in 2 instances had given rise to systemic emboli. Slight valvular involvement was seen in only 3 patients. The endocardial thickenings contained deposits of fibrin and originated from them. This cardiomyopathy resembles most closely heart muscle disease as found in Nigeria.