Endocardial fibroelastosis (EFE) is primarily a disease of infants and children, but can rarely present in adulthood as well.[1] In 1943, endocardial fibroelastosis term was coined by Weinberg et al. in children who presented with unexplained heart failure previously known as 'fetal endocarditis.'[2] It is broadly defined as the thickening of endocardium due to the excessive proliferation of fibrous and elastic tissue.[3]
The endocardium is normally a thin layer of endothelial cells lining the inner side of heart chambers. The presentation is versatile and is often overlapping with other cardiac anomalies. It is frequently noticed with other congenital heart conditions like hypoplastic left heart syndrome.[4] Cases have been reported where the anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) was initially labeled as EFE due to similar echocardiographic findings.[5] Hence, it is pertinent to know conditions that can present similar to EFE as well. The detail is mentioned in the differential diagnosis section.
The exact etiology is still unknown. Although primarily endocardial fibroelastosis is considered idiopathic, some studies have suggested genetic component, most notably X-linked recessive.[6] Tafazzin is a protein encoded by the gene TAZ (also known as EFE2) located on chromosome Xq28. Mutations in this gene have been implicated in the development of EFE.[7] Animal models also report a possible role of mutation in gene NEX, which produces nexilin, a novel Z-disk protein implicated in developing EFE.[8] Another possible underlying mechanism suggested has been the transition of endothelial cells to mesenchymal cells.[9][10] Infective and viral etiology has also been suggested by researchers, along with the possible autoimmune role.[11] The possible role of anti-Ro and anti-La antibodies has been established in the literature.[12] Complete regression of EFE after corticosteroids to anti-Ro/anti-La mothers in fetus also support this notion.[13] Although EFE can occur alone, 25% to 50% of cases have been seen alongside other genetic conditions such as hypoplastic left heart syndrome, aortic stenosis, and atresia.[14][11][15]
There is not enough data on the incidence and prevalence of endocardial fibroelastosis itself in literature due to the rarity of this condition. The usual age of presentation is the first year of life.[14] Pediatric cardiomyopathy is a broad entity that includes EFE. The overall incidence of pediatric cardiomyopathies is approximately 1 in 100,000 children.[16] The incidence has been non-discriminatory between both sexes and questions the widely accepted X-linked recessive pattern of inheritance. Some studies have suggested an autosomal recessive pattern as well.[14]
The underlying pathophysiology of endocardial fibroelastosis is suggested to be deposition of acellular fibrocartilagenous tissue in the subendothelial layer of the endocardium predominantly involving the inflow tracts, apices of either left or both ventricles.[17] Gross examination shows the glistening white appearance of the endocardium. Normally, the endocardium is transparent is the underlying pink myocardium is visible. Myocardial thickness is within the normal range in the beginning but can increase with time to compensate workload. Valvular involvement is seen as either thickening, adhesion of valvular leaflets, or shortening of papillary muscles leading to mitral regurgitation.[11]
Mural thrombus formation is also a common finding.[18] These findings are more noticeable on the left heart. Both dilated and restrictive cardiomyopathies have been linked to EFE in literature.[14] The possible explanation can be the continuous strain on the left ventricle (LV) due to volume and/or pressure overload. Conversion of dilated cardiomyopathy into restrictive has also been reported in fetal surveillance.[19]
The endocardium is a transparent think layer approximately 10 micrometers in thickness consisting of only 5 layers.[11] Histopathological findings in samples from the autopsies have shown thickening of all five layers, and an increase in elastin and collagen fibers deposition.[20] Neustein et al. suggested the possible mechanism as:[21]
It is believed that light smooth muscle cells, along with leiomyoid cells, are the culprit in the production of excessive collagen and elastin in the endocardium.
Initial common clinical signs are feeding difficulty, excessive sweating, breathlessness, failure to thrive, respiratory distress, cough, cyanosis, swelling of lower limbs. The most common presentation of endocardial fibroelastosis includes signs and symptoms of left heart failure following a recent respiratory infection.[14] Furthermore, patients may have signs of cardiogenic shock, irregular pulse, gallop rhythm, the pan-systolic murmur of the atrioventricular valve regurgitation, lung crepitations, raised jugular venous pressure, hepatosplenomegaly, pedal edema as well.[2] Sinus tachycardia and pulsus alternans are other less notable auscultatory findings.[14] The less common but pertinent presentations reported in the literature are hydrops fetalis,[22][23] congestive heart failure[18], mural thrombi[1], myocardial infarction[18], congenital heart block[12], pulmonary embolism[24], and sudden cardiac death.[25]
Due to a wide variety of clinical presentations, Seki et al. proposed pathological criteria to narrow down the diagnosis:[26]
Besides routine baseline investigations like serum electrolyte level, renal function tests, complete metabolic profile, brain natriuretic peptide, some specific investigations like autoantibody profile including anti-Ro and anti-La are advised since management includes steroids if positive.
A chest X-ray is a quick way to assess for cardiac and pulmonary findings like cardiomegaly, pulmonary edema, pleural effusion, pneumonia.
Electrocardiograms reveal a variety of disturbances, including tachyarrhythmias and neonatal atrial fibrillation, arrhythmias, infarct pattern, LV hypertrophy.
Echocardiographic features of the dilated type of primary endocardial fibroelastosis include the globular shape of the LV with global hypokinesia. Increase septal and free wall thicknesses can be seen. Increased dimensions of the left atrium, left ventricle, right ventricle, and varying degree of mitral regurgitation along with abnormal mitral inflow velocities. An experienced eye can pick up increased brightness of endocardium as well, which is a hallmark of endocardial involvement.
Computed tomography (CT) scan is an excellent non-invasive tool for the detection of cardiovascular calcification and ruling out pericarditis.[27][28] Electron beam CT scan picks up apex calcification with high accuracy.[27]
MRI can be useful in the detection of EFE since biopsy is invasive. A hypointense rim in the perfusion sequence of the myocardium and a hyperintense rim in the delayed-enhancement sequence is indicative of EFE.[29]
Biopsy of endocardial tissue is the gold standard test for diagnosis but may not be the first choice due to invasive nature and related complications.
Medical
There is no specific cure for endocardial fibroelastosis. Treatment is largely tailored around symptoms. Management commonly revolves around chronic cardiac failure with diuretics, digoxin, ACE inhibitors, and beta-blockers. Early and long-term treatment with digoxin has been suggested.[30] It is beneficial in clinical improvement, but mortality benefits are yet unclear. Corticosteroids have shown to regress fetal endocardial fibroelastosis associated with maternal anti-Ro and anti-La antibodies. Standard therapy with steroids is not recommended in seronegative EFE as little to no benefit has been reported in those cases. Thromboembolic complications may require anticoagulation.
Surgical
At present, surgery is only indicated in refractory cases that do not respond to medical management. Experimental procedures such as peeling off the fibrotic and thickened endocardium to restore compliance of the underlying myocardial tissue have been tried with limited improvement in outcomes.[2]
Cardiac transplantation may be recommended for those with end-stage disease.[31]
Several conditions have been mistaken for this disease, and extensive workup and vigilance of physician is required for correct diagnosis. Due to the rarity of this condition absence of highly sensitive/specific diagnostic tools, endocardial fibroelastosis is a diagnosis of exclusion. The following conditions have been reported in the literature so far and should be ruled out in suspected cases of EFE.[11]
Rare disorders like fibroplastic parietal endocarditis, cardiovascular collagenosis, and endomyocardial fibrosis should also be included in differential diagnoses.[32]
Although the condition is not universally fatal, the prognosis is still relatively poor. The 4-year survival rate is 77%.[33] It is relatively poorer in infants who present with acutely decompensated heart failure and are less likely to survive unless they receive a transplant. Surviving patients often experience persistent symptoms. In ECG 'infarct' pattern in a child with endocardial fibroelastosis is usually associated with death and that this pattern is a negative prognostic sign for survival.[34]
The following findings were reported by Manning et al.[30]
Many complications have been reported with endocardial fibroelastosis. Some of them are:
Parents with a history of a child with endocardial fibroelastosis should undergo prenatal assessment in subsequent pregnancies. Mothers with Sjögren syndrome should also remain cautious regarding the possibility of this entity in a child, so screening with anti-Ro and anti-La antibodies is warranted. Parents should be conveyed about the high morbidity and mortality of the condition. Genetic counseling should also be provided.
Due to rarity and diverse clinical presentation, primary care physicians and pediatricians seldom pick endocardial fibroelastosis. It is only after referral to pediatric cardiologists that a diagnosis is formed. Clinical knowledge about EFE and its differential diagnosis can help early detection and intervention to save a life. Most of the deaths in EFE occur within the first two months of presentation. Frequent follow-up and close monitoring can improve patient outcomes. Better communication among the team, including patient, pediatrician, cardiologist, and healthcare staff, is required. Since the etiology is not yet clear, no preventive measures can be suggested to the public. More studies are required to dig the clear-cut underlying etiology before the prognosis can be improved.
The American Heart Association, in its latest report (2006), has removed EFE from the classification of cardiomyopathy.[39] This move has further affected the future research related to EFE. Studies are already scarce, and even those available in databases have poor evidence levels. Medical therapy for heart failure is the mainstay management.[Level 4].[30] Surgical peeling of endocardium has been advised by a few authors and is only indicated in severe and treatment-refractory cases.[2] Cardiac transplantation is advised for end-stage disease.[Level 5][31] EFE lacks evidence level 3 or better in its perspectives.
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