Korean J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol.  2009 Jun;29(2):123-126.

A Case of Left Ventricular Infiltrative Cardiomyopathy in Hypereosinophilic Syndrom

Abstract

Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is characterized by peripheral blood eosinophilia and multiorgan dysfunction in the absence of known causes of hypereosinophilia. HES shows tissue infiltration in many organs including heart, lung, liver and gastrointestinal tract. A 38- year-old man presented to the outpatient clinic complaining of chest discomfort for 2 days. Routine blood tests showed an increased eosinophil count (2,796/mm3). Transthoracic echocardiography and chest CT revealed generalized thickening of the left ventricle. Bronchoalveolar larvageshowed marked increase of eosinophil up to 72%. The patient was diagnosed with HES, which involved heart and lung. He was treated with oral glucocorticoid for 7 days. His symptoms were improved dramatically and myocardial deposits disappeared. Cardiac and pulmonary manifestations are common in HES and these were present in this case. We herein report a case of HES presenting cardiac involvement as infiltrative pattern at the left ventricle and pulmonary involvement. As in our case, early diagnosis often leads to more appropriate management and better prognosis.

MeSH Terms

Ambulatory Care Facilities
Cardiomyopathies
Early Diagnosis
Echocardiography
Eosinophilia
Eosinophils
Gastrointestinal Tract
Heart
Heart Ventricles
Hematologic Tests
Humans
Hypereosinophilic Syndrome
Liver
Lung
Prognosis
Thorax