Pathological aspects of endomyocardial fibrosis

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Abstract
Summary: The studies leading up to the unitarian concept suggesting that endomyocardial fibrosis, described in the tropics, and Löffler’s endocarditis parietalis fibroplastica (Löffler’s endomyocardial disease), described in the temperate zone, belong to the same disease spectrum are detailed. Evidence that the eosinophil is involved in the pathogenesis of endomyocardial diseases, irrespective of the geographical origin, is presented. The findings of a similar abnormality in these cells obtained from patients in the tropical and temperate zones are briefly mentioned. In view of the evidence it is proposed that endomyocardial disease, associated with abnormal eosinophils, hitherto classified under the restrictive type of cardiomyopathy, be removed from this classification and reclassified under ‘specific heart muscle disease’.