Löffler endocarditis: a rare cause of acute cardiac failure

J Cardiothorac Surg. 2012 Oct 10:7:109. doi: 10.1186/1749-8090-7-109.

Abstract

We describe a patient with acute cardiogenic shock due to cardiac involvement in idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome (Löffler endocarditis). At the echocardiography, there was a huge mass in the left ventricular cavity, resulting in inflow- and outflow tract obstruction. The posterior leaflet of the mitral valve apparatus was completely embedded in a big (organized) thrombus mass. The patient was treated with high dose corticosteroids, however without effect. Partial remission was achieved after treatment with hydroxycarbamide. He was also treated with anticoagulants and high dose beta-blockers. The patient's condition improved remarkably after correction of the mitral valve insufficiency by a mitral valve bioprosthesis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Heart Failure / etiology*
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation
  • Humans
  • Hypereosinophilic Syndrome / complications
  • Hypereosinophilic Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Hypereosinophilic Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Mitral Valve / surgery
  • Mitral Valve Insufficiency / complications
  • Mitral Valve Insufficiency / diagnosis
  • Mitral Valve Insufficiency / surgery
  • Thrombosis / complications
  • Thrombosis / diagnosis*
  • Thrombosis / surgery