A Review of the Complications of Endomyocardial Fibrosis along with Their Physiological Compromise

Abstract

Endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) is a cardiac condition characterized by the presence of fibrous tissue in the myocardium and endocardium, resulting in restricted heart function. This review focuses on the prevalence of EMF, which primarily affects the young population but can also be found in older individuals. The disease is most commonly observed in underdeveloped regions such as Uganda, Mozambique, South Asia, and South America. Recent studies have aimed to comprehensively understand this condition, and this review examines the complications associated with EMF based on case studies, clinical trials, experiments, and research. These complications include heart failure, regurgitation of the atrioventricular valves, arrhythmias, effusions in serous cavities, circulatory shock, stroke, myocardial ischemic syndromes, hepatic dysfunction, and end-organ dysfunctions. Fatalities can occur due to complications like heart failure, and the presence of left ventricular thrombosis increases the risk of systemic or cerebral thromboembolism, potentially leading to a stroke. The review also discusses management strategies that have proven effective, advancements in cardiac transplantation, and newly proposed therapeutic targets, which offer hope for mitigating the impact of EMF and its consequences.