Fatal Loeffler's endocarditis due to hypereosinophilic syndrome

In-Depth Review of Loeffler Endocarditis: What Have We Learned?

Loeffler endocarditis, eosinophilic endocarditis or eosinophilic endomyocardial disease are conditions associated with hypereosinophilia and they affect the heart function. Loeffler endocarditis is a rare endomyocardial disorder thought to be caused by eosinophilic damage. The disorder is characterized by inflammatory infiltration, formation of thrombus within cardiovascular system, and ultimately fibrosis of the afflicted area. It can lead to multiple severe complications, including thromboembolic disease, thickening of fibrous tissue in the endocardium of ventricles, valve involvement, apical obliteration, and various heart disorders. Although early clinical intervention can lead to remission, the underlying mechanisms of the disorder remain unresolved. In the present article, we summarise the existing literature concerning Loeffler endocarditis based on PubMed, Web of Science, and other medical databases to conduct an in-depth review of the epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiological mechanisms, staging, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of Loeffler endocarditis. Meanwhile, we provide novel patients data and clinical figures of Loeffler endocarditis to supplement the understanding of this cardiac disorder. The findings presented in this article provide a basis for further studies and can be used to improve management of the disorder.

Hypereosinophilia and Löffler's Endocarditis: A Systematic Review

Löffler endocarditis is an uncommon, but known complication of hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES). It is a relatively rare entity, and remains poorly understood. To this point in time, the compendium of knowledge about this disease consists of various case reports, prospective studies and review articles. We aim to present a scoping study about this disease. Our goals are to identify the characteristic features found in case reports to identify characteristic features found in patients with Löffler endocarditis as a result of hypereosinophilic syndrome. An analysis of the 26 case reports showed a mean age of 41.6 years with a standard deviation of 17.1 years. Dyspnea was the most common presenting complaint (64%) followed by fatigue (23%), cough (19%), fever (19%), orthopnea/paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (19%), stroke related symptoms (15%), chest pain (15%) and lower extremity edema (15%). The most common cardiac structure affected was the mitral valve (65%), followed by the tricuspid valve (42%), left ventricle (23%), with 35% of cases having involvement of two valves. The most common therapeutic modality was immunosuppression (85%), followed by anticoagulation (73%) and mitral valve replacement (23%). Death was reported in 19% of the cases. Löffler's endocarditis continues to be associated with high morbidity and mortality. Further research must aim to develop guidelines for management of this uncommon manifestation of hypereosinophilic syndrome.

Hypereosinophilic Syndrome: A Case of Fatal Löffler Endocarditis

Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is a rare disorder with unknown global prevalence, barely reported in Hispanic population, and characterized by persistent eosinophilia in association with organ dysfunctions directly attributable to eosinophilic infiltration. Cardiac involvement may be present in 50 to 60% of the patients. This is known as Löffler endocarditis. We present a case of a 36-year-old Hispanic man with signs of heart failure. Laboratory studies showed eosinophilia (23,100/μL). Thoracic computer tomography showed bilateral pleural effusion and a large left ventricular mass. Transthoracic echocardiography showed left ventricle apical obliteration and a restrictive pattern. Pulmonary angiography demonstrated a thrombus in the lingular and middle lobe. Despite treatment, the patient deceased seven days after admission. Autopsy confirmed the diagnosis of Löffler endocarditis.

Delayed contrast enhancement on MR images of myocardium: past, present, future

Differential enhancement of myocardial infarction was first recognized on computed tomographic (CT) images obtained with iodinated contrast material in the late 1970s. Gadolinium enhancement of myocardial infarction was initially reported for T1-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in 1984. The introduction of an inversion-recovery gradient-echo MR sequence for accentuation of the contrast between normal and necrotic myocardium was the impetus for widespread clinical use for demonstrating the extent of myocardial infarction. This sequence has been called delayed-enhancement MR and MR viability imaging. The physiologic basis for differential enhancement of myocardial necrosis is the greater distribution volume of injured myocardium compared with that of normal myocardium. It is now recognized that delayed enhancement occurs in both acute and chronic (scar) infarctions and in an array of other myocardial processes that cause myocardial necrosis, infiltration, or fibrosis. These include myocarditis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, amyloidosis, sarcoidosis, and other myocardial conditions. In several of these diseases, the presence and extent of delayed enhancement has prognostic implications. Future applications of delayed enhancement with development of MR imaging and CT techniques will be discussed.

Hypereosinophilic syndrome presenting with large left ventricular apical thrombus and pulmonary embolism

A 45-year-old man presented with dyspnea on exertion, fatigue, and cough. Transthoracic echocardiography showed a large apical thrombus in the left ventricle. The laboratory results showed prominent eosinophilia on blood smear, elevated acute phase reactants and D-dimer serum levels. Bone marrow examination showed a Fip1-like platelet-derived growth factor receptor alfa fusion gene mutation. The case was diagnosed as myeloproliferative variant hypereosinophilic syndrome. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography demonstrated thrombi not only in left ventricle but also in multiple segmental pulmonary arteries. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed left ventricular apical thrombus without subendocardial fibrosis. Cardiopulmonary manifestations of hypereosinophilic syndrome completely resolved after treatment.

Acute eosinophilic myocarditis: diagnosis and treatment

Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is a rare disorder of unregulated eosinophilia, which if untreated, may lead to systemic tissue infiltration and inflammation. Cardiac involvement is a common and serious associated complication. We describe a case of HES associated myocarditis mimicking a non-ST elevation MI (NSTEMI). Unlike myocarditis in general, our patient responded well to high dose methylprednisone, the standard of care in HES. We review the clinical presentation, pathophysiology, pathology and treatment of eosinophilic myocarditis related to HES.

Magnetic resonance imaging for endomyocardial fibrosis

Magnetic resonance images (MRI) of a pediatric patient with endomyocardial fibrosis secondary to idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome are presented. Previously reported in adults, MRI findings of endomyocardial fibrosis in this case include right ventricular diastolic dysfunction, mild systolic dysfunction and extensive subendocardial delayed contrast enhancement. Right atrial enlargement and organized right ventricular thrombus are also demonstrated.