[Heart and schistosomiasis (author's transl)].

The review is based on three studies previously reported and involving the clinical, epidemiological and hemodynamic aspects of this problem. Schistosomasis may give frequently (21.6 p. 100) an arterial pulmonary hyperpressure related to the development of granulomas and arteriolitis. A myocarditis may be suspected but is rarely proved. Anemia and specific treatment are also responsible for myocardial deficiency. The parasitic changes of the urinary tract may give a systemic hypertension. Some very rare cases of acute pulmonary heart insufficiency have been reported and the responsibility of schistosomiasis in constrictive fibrous endomyocarditis is still questionned.