Endomyocardial fibrosis (Davies disease) coincidental with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Abstract

This is the case of a 27 years-old woman with signs and symptoms of severe untreatable congestive heart failure, anemia, gingival mucosa ulcers, photosensitivity and alopecia. The electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, angiographic and hemodynamic data oriented the diagnosis of restrictive cardiomyopathy, mitral insufficiency secondary to mitral prolapse and bi-atrial dilation. The histologic study of the endomyocardial biopsy, performed during catheterization, showed signs of endomyocardial fibrosis, and immunological analysis was compatible with systemic lupus erythematosus. As far as we know, this is the first case of endomyocardial fibrosis (Davies disease) associated with systemic lupus erythematosus published in the medical literature. The etiology of Davies disease remains unrevealed and its association with systemic lupus erythematosus suggest a probable autoimmune origin.