Aortic Embolism in Endomyocardia l Fibrosis (EMF)

Abstract

Aortic embolism is seen in ten out of 236 cases with endomyocardial fibrosis examined at autopsy and it was not seen in any other form of heart disease. In every case, there was E M F in the left side of the heart, and tlie emboli arose from the left ventricle in nine cases and from the mitral valve in one case. Most of those who presented clinically with acute severe abdominal pain had aortic embolism at the level of the coeliac and superior mesenteric arteries, whereas those who presented mainly with lower limb symptoms had embolism at the bifurcation of the aorta.