Última actualización:
April 10, 2009
Años publicados: 1986, 1988, 1995, 1999, 2004, 2007, 2009
Endocardial fibroelastosis (EFE) is a rare heart disorder that affects infants and children. It is characterized by a thickening within the muscular lining of the heart chambers due to an increase in the amount of supporting connective tissue (inelastic collagen) and elastic fibers. The normal heart has four chambers. Two chambers, known as atria, are separated from each other by a partition called the atrial septum. The other two chambers, known as ventricles, are also separated by a septum. Valves connect the atria (left and right) to their respective ventricles.
The symptoms of endocardial fibroelastosis are related to the overgrowth of fibrous tissues causing abnormal enlargement of the heart (cardiac hypertrophy), especially the left ventricle. Impaired heart and lung function eventually lead to congestive heart failure. Endocardial fibroelastosis may occur for no apparent reason (sporadic) or may be inherited as an X-linked (EFE2) or autosomal recessive (EFE1) genetic trait.
The symptoms of endocardial fibroelastosis begin rapidly, generally between the ages of 4 and 12 months. Symptoms are due to the overgrowth of fibrous tissue and thickening of the lining of the hearts’ chambers (i.e., endocardium and subendocardium), especially the left ventricle. In some very rare cases of EFE, the left ventricle is small (hypoplastic) or of normal size and the right ventricle is enlarged.
The most common symptoms of endocardial fibroelastosis include difficulty breathing (dyspnea), breathlessness, grunting sounds during breathing, coughing, irritability, weakness, and/or a pale facial appearance (pallor). Other symptoms may include fatigue, failure to thrive, increased sweating, an abnormal blue skin coloration on the feet and hands (peripheral cyanosis), and/or wheezing.
Infants and children with endocardial fibroelastosis may have unusual chest sounds that can be heard during a physician’s examination with a stethoscope. Bubbling, moist sounds (rales) suggest fluid accumulation in the airways. Unusual heart sounds (murmurs) are also typically present in children with EFE. Excessive backward flow of blood from the left ventricle, through the mitral valve and into the left atrium (mitral regurgitation) is also a common finding in children with this disorder. Symptoms of mitral regurgitation may include heart palpitation and intolerance to exercise.
Life-threatening complications associated with endocardial fibroelastosis may develop, including an abnormally rapid heartbeat (tachycardia), irregular heart rhythms (atrial and ventricular arrhythmias), and/or congestive heart failure (congestive cardiomyopathy).
Some cases of endocardial fibroelastosis occur as a result of random changes (mutations), with no apparent cause (sporadic). These cases are known as endocardial fibroelastosis 1 (EFE1). Others cases are thought to be inherited as an X-linked recessive genetic trait. These cases are known as endocardial fibroelastosis 2 (EFE2). In EFE1, neither the chromosome nor the precise location of the mutated gene on that chromosome have been determined. In EFE2, the mutated gene is located on the X chromosome, but its precise location is not known.
Chromosomes, which are present in the nucleus of human cells, carry the genetic information for each individual. Human body cells normally have 46 chromosomes. Pairs of human chromosomes are numbered from 1 through 22 and the sex chromosomes are designated X and Y. Males have one X and one Y chromosome and females have two X chromosomes. Each chromosome has a short arm designated “p” and a long arm designated “q”. Chromosomes are further sub-divided into many bands that are numbered. For example, “chromosome 11p13” refers to band 13 on the short arm of chromosome 11. The numbered bands specify the location of the thousands of genes that are present on each chromosome.
Genetic diseases are determined by the combination of genes for a particular trait that are on the chromosomes received from the father and the mother.
Recessive genetic disorders occur when an individual inherits the same abnormal gene for the same trait from each parent. If an individual receives one normal gene and one gene for the disease, the person will be a carrier for the disease, but usually will not show symptoms. The risk for two carrier parents to both pass the defective gene and, therefore, have an affected child is 25% with each pregnancy. The risk to have a child who is a carrier like the parents is 50% with each pregnancy. The chance for a child to receive normal genes from both parents and be genetically normal for that particular trait is 25%. The risk is the same for males and females.
All individuals carry 4-5 abnormal genes. Parents who are close relatives (consanguineous) have a higher chance than unrelated parents to both carry the same abnormal gene, which increases the risk to have children with a recessive genetic disorder.
Dominant genetic disorders occur when only a single copy of an abnormal gene is necessary for the appearance of the disease. The abnormal gene can be inherited from either parent, or can be the result of a new mutation (gene change) in the affected individual. The risk of passing the abnormal gene from affected parent to offspring is 50% for each pregnancy regardless of the sex of the resulting child.
X-linked recessive genetic disorders are conditions caused by an abnormal gene on the X chromosome. Females have two X chromosomes but one of the X chromosomes is “turned off” and all of the genes on that chromosome are inactivated. Females who have a disease gene present on one of their X chromosomes are carriers for that disorder. Carrier females usually do not display symptoms of the disorder because it is usually the X chromosome with the abnormal gene that is “turned off”. A male has one X chromosome and if he inherits an X chromosome that contains a disease gene, he will develop the disease. Males with X-linked disorders pass the disease gene to all of their daughters, who will be carriers. A male cannot pass an X-linked gene to his sons because males always pass their Y chromosome instead of their X chromosome to male offspring. Female carriers of an X-linked disorder have a 25% chance with each pregnancy to have a carrier daughter like themselves, a 25% chance to have a non-carrier daughter, a 25% chance to have a son affected with the disease, and a 25% chance to have an unaffected son.
X-linked dominant disorders are also caused by an abnormal gene on the X chromosome, but in these rare conditions, females with an abnormal gene are affected with the disease. Males with an abnormal gene are more severely affected than females, and many of these males do not survive.
Other cases of endocardial fibroelastosis are thought to occur in association with other metabolic defects, such as Barth syndrome or carnitine deficiency syndromes. (See Related Disorders section of this report.)
Endocardial fibroelastosis is a rare disorder that affects males and females in equal numbers. Fewer than 1 percent of infants and children with congenital heart disease are diagnosed with this disorder. A 1964 study suggested an incidence of 1 in 5,000 live births. However, in the United States there has been a marked reduction in incidence since then for reasons that are not known. The disorder is extremely rare.
The diagnosis of endocardial fibroelastosis is confirmed by a thorough clinical evaluation, including a physical examination that may reveal signs of respiratory distress (i.e., moist rales) and galloping heart rhythms. Radiographic studies (x-ray) of the chest typically reveal abnormal enlargement of the heart, especially the left ventricle (ventricular hypertrophy). Damage to the heart may be demonstrated by measuring the electrical activity of the heart (i.e., electrocardiogram [EKG]). This test may show subtle changes (i.e., S-T segment and T-wave changes) that strongly suggest damage to the heart that is characteristic of EFE. Repeated electrocardiograms may be required to monitor changes in heart function.
Treatment
Infants who are diagnosed early in the course of the disease respond more favorably to treatment than those who are not diagnosed until substantial heart damage has already occurred. Treatment for EFE is essentially the same as for chronic heart failure. A variety of drugs may be used to help control congestive heart failure that is associated with EFE, and to reduce heart rate and improve the ability of the heart to contract. Diuretics may be used to eliminate fluids from the body. Drugs that help maintain normal heart rhythm (i.e., antiarrhythmics) may be administered to correct arrhythmias. Medications that prevent the clotting of blood (anticoagulants) may also be necessary. Prolonged bed rest may facilitate healing of myocardial lesions since the heart is working at a reduced load when a person rests.
For some children with advanced illness, heart transplantation may be the treatment of last resort.
Genetic counseling may be of benefit for patients and their families. Other treatment is symptomatic and supportive.
Information on current clinical trials is posted on the Internet at www.clinicaltrials.gov. All studies receiving U.S. government funding, and some supported by private industry, are posted on this government web site.
For information about clinical trials being conducted at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD, contact the NIH Patient Recruitment Office:
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For information about clinical trials sponsored by private sources, contact:
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TEXTBOOKS
Behrman RE, Kliegman RM, Arvin AM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 15th ed. W.B. Saunder Company. Philadelphia, PA; 1996:1353.
JOURNAL ARTICLES
Boldt T, Andersson S, Eronen M. Etiology and outcome of fetuses with functional heart disease. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2004;83:531-35.
Tanaka H, Narisawa T, Mori T, et al. Double primary left ventricle and aortic valve papillary fibroelastoma. Circ J. 2004;68:504-06.
Mohapatra B, Jimenez S, Lin JH, et al. Mutations in the muscle LIM protein and alpha-actinin-2 genes in dilated cardiomyopathy and endocardial fibroelastosis. Mol Genet Metab. 2003;80:207-15.
Wang IJ, Chen SJ, Wang JK, et al. Electron beam computed tomography appearance of endocardial fibroelastosis EBCT. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging. 2003;29:85-90.
Pedra SR, Smallhorn JF, Ryan G, et al. Fetal cardiomyopathies: pathogenic mechanisms, hemodynamic findings, and clinical outcome. Circulation. 2002;106:585-91.
Bauer J, Thul J, Kramer U, et al. Heart transplantation in children and infants: short-term outcome and long-term follow-up. Pediatr Transplant. 2001;5:457-62.
Weiner Z, Shalev. Doppler fetal echocardiography in endocardial fibroelastosis. Obstet Gynecol. 2001;98(5 Pt 2)933-35.
FROM THE INTERNET
McKusick VA, ed. Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM). The Johns Hopkins University. Endocardial Fibroelastosis; EFE. Entry Number; 226000: Last Edit Date; 7/7/1997.
McKusick VA, ed. Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM). The Johns Hopkins University. Endocardial Fibroelastosis. Entry Number; 305300: Last Edit Date; 5/8/2002.
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endocardial fibroelastosis. GPnotebook. nd. 2pp.
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Endocardial Fibroelastosis. Baylor College of Medicine. Pediatric Cardiology Research Lab. ©2003. 3pp.
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Aprende más https://rarediseases.org/patient-assistance-programs/caregiver-respite/The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only. The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) does not endorse the information presented. The content has been gathered in partnership with the MONDO Disease Ontology. Please consult with a healthcare professional for medical advice and treatment.
The Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD) has information and resources for patients, caregivers, and families that may be helpful before and after diagnosis of this condition. GARD is a program of the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
View reportOrphanet has a summary about this condition that may include information on the diagnosis, care, and treatment as well as other resources. Some of the information and resources are available in languages other than English. The summary may include medical terms, so we encourage you to share and discuss this information with your doctor. Orphanet is the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research and the Health Programme of the European Union.
View reportOnline Mendelian Inheritance In Man (OMIM) has a summary of published research about this condition and includes references from the medical literature. The summary contains medical and scientific terms, so we encourage you to share and discuss this information with your doctor. OMIM is authored and edited at the McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
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