OBJECTIVErestrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is characterized by impairment of ventricular filling during diastole with preserved systolic function. The clinical and histopathological profile on endomyocardial biopsy of 25 consecutive patients with RCM was analyzed in this study.

METHODStwenty-five patients with diagnosis of RCM and underwent endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) were enrolled in the study. The clinical characteristics, electrocardiogram, serum chemistry, right heart catheter and cardiac pathology results were obtained.

RESULTSheart failure symptom was present in all 25 patients and left ventricular size and function were normal or near normal while serum brain natriuretic peptide (577 pg/ml) was moderately elevated. Right atrial and ventricular end-diastolic as well as pulmonary capillary wedge pressures derived from right heart catheter examination were increased. Amyloid deposition were evidenced in 16 and eosinophilic myocarditis in 2 patients upon pathological examination of EMB. In the remaining 7 patients, 3 were diagnosed idiopathic RCM, 2 were diagnosed as amyloidosis by biopsy from non-cardiac tissue and etiology remained unknown in 2 patients. Thus, conclusive diagnosis was made on EMB samples in 84% (21/25) patients of RCM.

CONCLUSIONRCM may result from various local and systemic disorders. EMB is helpful for identifying the underlying etiology.