Protein‐losing enteropathy in an adult with non‐ischaemic cardiomyopathy: complete reversal by heart transplantation. (27th July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Melenovsky, Vojtech; Kubanek, Milos; Kacer, Petr
• Is Part Of: ESC heart failure. Volume 5:Number 5(2018)
• Page Start: 842
• Page End: 845
• Publication Date: 2018-07-27
• Subjects: Protein‐losing enteropathy -- Heart failure -- Cardiac transplantation; Heart failure -- Periodicals; 616.129005
• DOI: 10.1002/ehf2.12342
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2055-5822

Abstract

Abstract: Protein‐losing enteropathy (PLE) due to leakage of lymph into the gut sometimes occurs in young patients after Fontan palliation but is very rarely reported with other aetiologies of chronic heart failure (HF). PLE leads to severe hypoalbuminemia and immunodeficiency and is associated with poor prognosis. The mechanisms and the predispositions to PLE are poorly understood. Here, we report an adult patient with advanced HF due to non‐ischaemic non‐dilated hypocontractile cardiomyopathy who developed severe PLE, probably owing to increased ventricular stiffness and constraint by atypically placed epicardial electrode encircling both ventricles. Importantly, both PLE and immunodeficiency completely resolved after heart transplantation.