The surgical treatment of constrictive fibrous endocarditis.

Constrictive fibrous endocarditis is a pathological entity described by Loëffler in 1936. Its etiology is unknown. The clinical course is characterized by an evolution towards cardiac insufficiency leading rapidly to a fatal outcome. Moderen paraclinical investigations are necessary to assess the diagnostic. Caridac catheterization brings the proof of adiastole and angiogardiography reveals the shape of amputation of the ventricle with auriculoventricular regurgitation. The operative procedure consists of resection of the ventricular fibrosis including the valves and auriculo-ventricular valve replacement by a prosthetic valve. The disease affects both Caucasians and Negros. Our experience includes 5 cases. The indications for operation and their results are discussed.